Who was Michael Wigglesworth?
Wigglesworth’s fame and reputation is based entirely on the Day of Doom. Born in 1631 in England, Michael Wigglesworth and his family came to the United States, when Michael was only seven years old. After preparing for three years, he entered Harvard College at age sixteen; he graduated in 1651 and became of tutor Harvard. He tutored many future ministers, including the famed Increase Mather. He had trained to be a minister, was ordained, and was asked to serve at Malden, but poor health prevented him from taking the position. He traveled to Bermuda, in hopes of strengthening his health, but the trip was proved more difficult for him than any benefit might have received. After returning to New England, he was finally able to serve as minister at Malden, but several other ministers had to help him until 1687, when he was then stronger and able to fulfill his duties alone. Day of Doom After its first appearance in 1662, Day of Doom went through eight printings from its first edition in
