The Biographical Dictionary of America/Abbott, Gorham Dummer

ABBOTT, Gorham Dummer, educator, was born at Hallowell, Me., Sept. 3, 1807, youngest son of Jacob Abbott, a clergyman, and brother of Jacob and John Stephens Cabot Abbott. He was graduated from Bowdoin College in 1826, and from the theological seminary at Andover in 1831. The same year he was ordained to the ministry of the Congregational church, and removed to New York city, where he engaged in teaching. He settled at New Rochelle, N. Y., and in addition to his duties as teacher, did considerable literary work for the American tract society. He then joined his brothers, Jacob and John S. C. Abbott, in establishing the Abbott Institute in New York city. This was a school for young ladies, and attained a leading position among such schools. He retained his connection with it for two years, and then withdrew to found the Spingler Institute on Union square in the same city. This venture was also successful, and the school was removed to the Townsend mansion, on the corner of Fifth avenue and Thirty-Fourth street, where afterwards the late A. T. Stewart built his marble residence. Financial difficulties followed this removal, and in a few years Mr. Abbott was obliged to close the school. He was noted for his scholarly attainments, especially for his knowledge of biblical literature. He wrote a work on Mexico, and some school text-books. He died at South Natick, Mass., July 31, 1874.