Eliot, John (1604-1690)

English-born American missionary. He became deeply interested in the American Indians of Massachusetts and learned their language in order to preach to them. He saw the fourteen villages he created for converted American Indians dwindle away during King Philip's War.

He was born in Widford, England. He wrote and published numerous books in English and American Indian languages. His translation of the Bible into an American Indian language was the first Bible printed in any language in North America. He continued his work until his death, in spite of the great setback brought about by King Philip's War.