In the book Scarlet Letter, who was Increase Mather?

Increase Mather was a Puritan minister and major figure in the Salem Witch Trials.

He is only mentioned once in The Scarlet Letter.

His was the profession at that era in which intellectual ability displayed itself far more than in political life; for—leaving a higher motive out of the question it offered inducements powerful enough in the almost worshipping respect of the community, to win the most aspiring ambition into its service. Even political power—as in the case of Increase Mather—was within the grasp of a successful priest.