Dictionary.net

A noted American Congregational divine, educator, and scholar; born at Dorchester, Mass., June 21, 1639; died at Boston, Aug. 23, 1723. Graduating from Harvard at 17, he went to England; graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, at 19; settled in England as a pastor, but at the Restoration refused to conform and returned to Boston; was president of Harvard 1685-1701; visited England again to convey a vote of thanks to James II. (1688). Of his ninety-two publications, one of the most curious was "An Essay for the Recording of Illustrious Providences" (1684; London, 1856). It is a collection of remarkable happenings,- sea-deliverances, accidents, witchcraft, apparitions, etc.