The Biographical Dictionary of America/Abbott, Jacob

ABBOTT, Jacob, author, was born in Hallowell, Me., Nov. 14, 1803; son of the Rev. Jacob and Betsy (Abbot) Abbott, He attended the academy of his native town, and was graduated at Bowdoin in 1820. In 1821 he entered Andover theological seminary, and finished the course in 1824. He taught in Portland academy and was tutor in Amherst college during the next year, and in 1825 was made professor of mathematics and natural philosophy in that institution. The Hampshire association licensed him to preach in 1826. May 18, 1829, he married Harriet Vaughan, and moved soon afterwards to Boston to establish the Mount Vernon school. This school aimed to give to young women an educational training equal to that given to young men, and was a pioneer in such work. Mr. Abbott's views in regard to education were very advanced for the times in which he lived. He was not a disciplinarian in the accepted meaning of that term, and made his school a self-governing community, relying on the honor and united conscience of the pupils for the maintenance of the order necessary for the success of the school. His methods were eminently successful, and he carried on this work until 1834, when he severed his connection with the school to become pastor of the Eliot Congregational church at Roxbury, Mass., and began to write books for young people. During this year he finished one of the books, entitled "The Young Christian Series." They are all graphic in description and simple in statement, conveying truths that have been far-reaching in their influence over the young. The great popularity they immediately acquired led the author to continue such writings, and although he associated himself with his brothers in the Abbott Institute in New York, his life thereafter was largely devoted to literature. He wrote over two hundred volumes, which have been republished in England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Holland, France, and India. His books have inspired many men to worthy effort and a useful life. Among these works are: "Conversations on the Bible"; "The Corner Stone; or, A Familiar Illustration of the Principles of Christian Truth"; "Evidences of Christianity"; "Franklin, the Apprentice Boy"; "Hoary-head and M'Donner"; "The Little Philosopher"; "The Little Learner"; "New England and Her Institutions"; "Public Life of Benjamin Franklin"; "The Teacher"; "The Way to do Good; or, The Christian Character Mature"; "Rollo Books" (28 vols.); "Lucy Books" (6 vols.); "Jonas Books" (6 vols.); "Franconia Stories" (10 vols.); "Marco Paul Series" (6 vols.); "Gay Family" (13 vols.); Juno Books" (6 vols.); "Rainbow Series" (5 vols.); "Science for the Young", "Heat," "Light," "Water and Land," and "Force" (4 vols.); "A Summer in Scotland"; series of histories of America (8 vols.). He also aided his brother, J. S. C., in his series of illustrated histories, and compiled a series of school readers. He died at Farmington, Me., Oct. 31, 1879.