The Hanging Judge: William Hathorne

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Recommended: Nathaniel Hawthorne literary analysis

Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in Salem in 1804 and was descended from the original founders of Salem. His most notable ancestors were William Hathorne and his son John Hathorne. William Hathorne was a zealous magistrate who had fled from Europe with other Puritans to escape religious persecution. Once Salem was established he became well known for his cruelty against Quakers, most notably having them whipped in public. His son John Hathorne was one of the judges responsible for the conviction and execution of witches during the mass panic of the Salem Witch Trials, and became known as "The Hanging Judge." Due to his family's sordid history Hawthorne added a "W" to his name in order to distance himself, yet he used his ancestry in his writing.

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