Born: 1632

England Died: August 19, 1692

Salem, Massachusetts

Farmer, tavern owner, and accused wizard

John Proctor was one of twenty people executed during the Salem witch trials in 1692–93. Condemned to death as a wizard (a man who practices magic), he was targeted by the court for expressing open opposition to the trials. Thus Proctor was doomed because of his own outspokenness. Yet he was also a victim of the accusations of his maidservant, Mary Warren, who belonged to the group of young girls who initiated the witchcraft charges that resulted in the mass hysteria.

John Proctor and Salem Village

John Proctor was born in England, and at an early age he emigrated to Ipswich, Massachusetts, with his family. In 1666 he moved to the outskirts of Salem Village, settling on a large tract of land he inherited (received ownership of) from his father and becoming one of the wealthiest...