Mather, Increase

Mather, Increase (1639-1723), American clergyman and educator. He was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and educated at Harvard College (now Harvard University), from which he graduated at the age of 17, and the University of Dublin. He preached in England but in 1661 returned to the colonies, where he was pastor of the North Church, Boston, from 1664 until his death. From 1685 to 1701 he was president of Harvard College. In 1688, as the colonists' representative to England, Mather appealed to King James II and William of Orange for restoration of the Massachusetts Charter that had been revoked by Charles II. In 1689 the new charter was obtained from William, after he was crowned king.

Mather spoke out against witchcraft hysteria and wrote (1692) that letting ten witches escape was preferable to condemning one innocent person.