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The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination, (Vol. 1 of 3) cover

The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination, (Vol. 1 of 3)

By Robert Calef
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History - AmericanHistory - Religious

About This Book

This work compiles contemporary accounts and responses to the witchcraft panic in colonial New England, presenting a prominent theological defense alongside a pointed rebuttal, together with a prefatory introduction and notes that trace editions and publication history. It surveys trial practices, public credulity, and the influence of printed tracts, traces the roles played by clergy and civil authorities, and follows the gradual shift from widespread belief toward critical scrutiny by comparing local episodes with English witchcraft literature.

About the Author

Calef, Robert portrait

Robert Calef

Robert Calef was an American merchant and author, best known for his critical examination of the Salem witch trials in his work "The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination." Published in three volumes, this comprehensive account challenges the prevailing beliefs of his time regarding witchcraft and superstition. Calef's writings reflect a rationalist perspective, advocating for skepticism towards the witch hunts that plagued New England in the late 17th century. His contributions to the discourse on witchcraft have made him a notable figure in the study of early American history and the cultural context of the witch trials.

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