Michael wigglesworth biography

WIGGLESWORTH, MICHAEL (1631—1705), American clergyman and poet, was born in England, probably in Yorkshire, on the 18th of October 1631.

His father, Edward (d. 1653), persecuted for his Puritan faith, emigrated with his family to New England in 1638 and settled in New Haven. Michael studied for a time at a school kept by Ezekiel Cheever, and in 1651 graduated at Harvard, where he was a tutor (and a Fellow) in 1652—1654.

Michael wigglesworth biography wikipedia

Having fitted himself for the ministry, he preached at Charlestown in. I653—1654, and was pastor at Malden from 1656 until his death, though for twenty years or more bodily infirmities prevented his regular attendance upon his duties—Cotton Mather described him as “a little feeble shadow of a man.” During this interval he studied medicine and began a successful practice.

He was again a Fellow of Harvard in 1697—I 705. He died at Malden on. the 10th of June 1705. Wigglesworth is best known as the author of The Day of Doom; or a Poetical Desc