The Biographical Dictionary of America/Abbey, Henry Eugene

ABBEY, Henry Eugene, manager, was born at Akron, Ohio, June 27, 1846. He engaged in business with his father, a jeweller, until 1869, when he leased the Akron opera house. He subsequently managed Edwin Adams and Lotta, organized a company in 1874, and in 1876 with John B. Schoeffel, leased the Academy of music, Buffalo, N.Y. In 1877 they leased the Park theatre, New York, and in 1879 opened the old Beethoven hall in Boston as the Park theatre. They next leased the Arch street theatre, Philadelphia (also renamed the Park theatre), and in 1880, Booth's theatre, New York, playing Edwin Booth and later Adelaide Neilson. In 1880 they brought Sarah Bernhardt over for her first American season and later managed Patti, Christine Nilsson, Mrs. Langtry, Henry Irving, Ellen Terry and Lawrence Barrett. In 1883 Maurice Grau became partner, and on Oct. 22, 1883, they opened with Italian opera, the venture leaving the firm with an indebtedness of nearly $290,000 which they eventually liquidated. In 1884 Mr. Abbey managed Mary Anderson in England and in 1885 brought her to America. In 1891 the firm opened the Tremont theatre in Boston. In 1892 they engaged the Metropolitan opera house, New York city, for another trial at grand opera, but the building was destroyed, together with over $200,000 worth of scenery. In 1893 they opened the new Metropolitan opera house with Faust, the cast including Emma Eames, the De Reszkes and Lassalle. At the same time Abbey's theatre was opened with Irving and Terry. In 1894 Coquelin, Jane Hading, Mounet-Sully and Beerbohm Tree were brought out, and in 1895, grand opera, Henry Irving and Lillian Russell gave them a successful season. He died in New York city, Oct. 17, 1896.