Final answer:
Cotton Mather, a Puritan minister and writer, played a significant role in fueling the hysteria and paranoia during the Salem Witch trials. His books and support of the proceedings contributed to the escalation of the trials and the subsequent executions of those accused of witchcraft.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cotton Mather was a prominent figure during the Salem Witch trials in the late 17th century. He was a Puritan minister and writer who played a significant role in fueling the hysteria and paranoia that led to the trials. Mather wrote several books, including ''Memorable Providences, Relating to Witchcraft and Possessions'', which detailed supposed accounts of witchcraft in New England and helped perpetuate the belief in witchcraft.
Mather also actively participated in the trials by providing testimony and encouraging the court to convict those accused of witchcraft. His influence as a respected religious leader contributed to the validation of the testimonies and the subsequent executions of numerous individuals accused of witchcraft.
While Mather himself did not serve as a judge during the trials, his writings and support of the proceedings contributed to the fervor and escalation of the witch trials, making him a significant figure in the history of the Salem Witch trials.
Learn more about Cotton Mather's contribution to the Salem Witch trials