Michael Wigglesworth

Michael Wigglesworth was a prominent Puritan minister and poet in 17th-century Massachusetts Bay Colony. He is best known for his poem Day of Doom, which became a bestseller in the American colonies and was widely read by John Winthrop, Increase Mather, and other notable Puritan leaders. Wigglesworth's work was influenced by John Milton, John Bunyan, and other prominent English writers of the time, such as John Donne and George Herbert. His poetry also reflects the theological ideas of John Calvin and the Westminster Assembly, which shaped the Reformed theology of the Puritan movement.

● Early Life and Education

Michael Wigglesworth was born in 1631 in New Haven Colony to Edward Wigglesworth and Eleanor Wigglesworth. He studied at Harvard College, where he graduated in 1651 and later became a tutor and minister. During his time at Harvard College, Wigglesworth was influenced by the Cambridge Platonists, a group of English philosophers and theologians that included Ralph Cudworth and Henry More. He also developed a strong interest in Classical literature, particularly the works of Virgil and Ovid, which would later influence his own poetry. Wigglesworth's education was also shaped by the Massachusetts Bay Colony's emphasis on Puritan education, which stressed the importance of Bible study and theological training.

● Career

Wigglesworth began his career as a minister in Malden, Massachusetts, where he served from 1654 until his death in 1705. He was a respected member of the Massachusetts Bay Colony's clergy and played an important role in shaping the colony's Puritan values. Wigglesworth was also a strong supporter of the Half-Way Covenant, a theological doctrine developed by John Cotton and Richard Mather that allowed for the baptism of children whose parents were not full members of the church. He was a contemporary of other notable Puritan ministers, including Jonathan Edwards, Cotton Mather, and John Wise, and was influenced by the First Great Awakening, a revival movement that swept through the American colonies in the 18th century.

● Literary Works

Wigglesworth's most famous poem, Day of Doom, was published in 1662 and became a bestseller in the American colonies. The poem is a narrative that describes the Last Judgment and the fate of the soul after death. It was widely read and admired by John Winthrop, Increase Mather, and other notable Puritan leaders, who saw it as a powerful expression of Puritan theology. Wigglesworth's poetry was also influenced by the Metaphysical poets, a group of English poets that included John Donne and George Herbert, and reflected the literary style of the time, which emphasized allegory and symbolism. His work was also compared to that of John Milton, who wrote the epic poem Paradise Lost, and John Bunyan, who wrote the allegory The Pilgrim's Progress.

● Personal Life and Legacy

Wigglesworth married Mary Knight in 1655 and had six children with her. He was known for his piety and his commitment to the Puritan values of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Wigglesworth's legacy extends beyond his literary works, as he played an important role in shaping the theology and culture of the American colonies. He was a respected member of the clergy and a strong supporter of the Puritan movement, which had a profound impact on the development of American literature and American history. Wigglesworth's work was also influenced by the Scientific Revolution, which was underway in Europe during the 17th century, and reflected the intellectual curiosity and scientific inquiry of the time, as seen in the works of Isaac Newton and Galileo Galilei.

● Historical Context

Wigglesworth lived during a time of significant change and upheaval in the American colonies. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was established in 1629, and the Puritan values of the colony shaped the culture and theology of the region. Wigglesworth's work reflects the tensions and conflicts of the time, including the Pequot War and the King Philip's War, which had a profound impact on the Native American populations of the region. He was also influenced by the English Civil War and the Restoration of the monarchy in England, which had significant implications for the American colonies. Wigglesworth's poetry and prose provide valuable insights into the history and culture of the American colonies during the 17th century, and his work continues to be studied by historians and literary scholars today, including those at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Historical Society.