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The Vilification of Cotton Mather

Episode 17 of the The Salem Witch Trials Podcast podcast, hosted by Greg Houle, titled "The Vilification of Cotton Mather" was published on June 3, 2024 and runs 19 minutes.

June 3, 2024 ·19m · The Salem Witch Trials Podcast

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Summary

Cotton Mather was a third generation minister born into Puritan royalty, a nepo baby long before anyone had ever used the term. But his involvement in the Salem witch trials — and defense of the trials afterward — led to his eventual vilification. We’re joined by Professor Rick Kennedy who helps us sort through Mather’s complex role in Puritan New England.  Learn about Rick Kennedy Learn about Rick Kennedy’s book The First American Evangelical: A Short Life of Cotton Mather Rick Kennedy’s latest book is Winds of Santa Ana: Pilgrim Stories of the California Bight Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok Learn about Greg Houle's forthcoming book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials

Episode Description

Cotton Mather was a third generation minister born into Puritan royalty, a nepo baby long before anyone had ever used the term. But his involvement in the Salem witch trials — and defense of the trials afterward — led to his eventual vilification. We’re joined by Professor Rick Kennedy who helps us sort through Mather’s complex role in Puritan New England. 

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