Richard Mather (1596-1669), founder of the Mather family in New England, born in Lowtown, near Liverpool, England. Ordained in the Church of England in 1618, he preached at Toxeth Park, Lancashire, until 1633, when he was suspended for nonconformity in matters of ceremony (see Nonconformists). After an unsuccessful attempt to be reinstated, he immigrated to Boston in 1635. The following year he became pastor of the church at Dorchester, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, remaining at that post until his death.