Increase Mather

The Reverend Increase Mather
A 1688 portrait of Mather by John van der Spriett.

President of Harvard College (title varied)
In office 1681–1701
Preceded by	John Rogers
Succeeded by	Samuel Willard (acting)

Personal details
Born	June 21, 1639 Dorchester, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British America
Died	August 23, 1723 (aged 84) Boston, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British America
Spouse(s)	Maria Cotton Ann Cotton
Children	Cotton Mather
Education	Harvard College (AB) Trinity College Dublin (MA)
Occupation	Minister and author
Signature

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Increase Mather (/ˈmæðər/; June 21, 1639 Old Style – August 23, 1723 Old Style) was a New England Puritan clergyman in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the sixth President of Harvard College (later renamed Harvard University) for twenty years (1681–1701). During his tenure, he was influential in the administration of the colony during a time that coincided with the notorious Salem witch trials.