The book Dr. Reid reading is "Under de evige stjerner," a Danish translation of the novel "The Stars Look Down" by A.J. Cronin, first published in 1935.
William Stoughton wasn't just the Chief Justice who enabled the Witch trials, he also served two separate terms as Deputy President of the temporary government of the Massachusetts colony. Serving as the colony's representative in the Court of King Charles II between terms.
As a teenager he earned a degree in Theology from Harvard before returning home to England to study at Oxford University.
As the Stoughton family was one of the major land owners in Massachusetts this is where William settled after leaving Oxford. He began his new life as a preacher, but when England reasserted control over the colony he discovered an affinity for politics and decided to pursue that career path instead.
Having risen quickly in his political career, Stoughton was appointed Chief Justice of Massachusetts, despite having no experience or training in the law.
This lead to a rather unorthodox approach to the law, with such rulings as the admittance of "spectral evidence", forbidding defence counsels, empowering judges to act as prosecutor and inquisitor in cases they themselves were hearing, and allowing audience participation (spectators could shout opinions and personal remarks from the gallery).
After the Witch Trials William Stoughton became Acting Governor of the colony of Massachusetts, a position he held, along with Chief Justice, until his death.