Pen Portraiture in Seventeenth Century Colonial Historians.

The article discusses written portraits of historic figures and events by 17th century historians. The author discusses how historian John Winthrop's description of the accidental drowning of a girl reveals the religious thoughts of her parents and community. Character sketches of ministers John Cotton, John Wilson, John Norton and Thomas Hooker by historian Cotton Mather are noted. The ambiguity of a sketch of William Brewster by historian William Bradford is discussed. The characterization of people by historians based on established formulas and the lack of individuality in Mather, Winthrop and Bradford's sketches are discussed.