Edward Abbott (priest)

Edward Abbott (1841-1908) was an American Congregationalist clergyman, author, and editor. He was born in Farmington, Maine, on July 15, 1841, the son of Jacob Abbott, a noted author of children's books.

Abbott graduated from Harvard University in 1860 and from Andover Theological Seminary in 1863. He was ordained as a Congregational minister in 1865. He served as pastor of the Winthrop Church in Lowell, Massachusetts, from 1865 to 1869 and of the Cambridgeport Parish in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from 1869 to 1889.

Following his pastorates, Abbott devoted himself to literary work. He was associate editor of The Literary World from 1870 to 1876 and editor of The Congregationalist from 1880 to 1896. He also contributed articles to numerous periodicals.

Abbott authored several books, including biographies of his father, Jacob Abbott, and of Helen Keller. He also wrote religious and travel books. His publications include Paragraph History of the American Revolution (1875), A Paragraph History of the United States (1875), Phillips Brooks (1900), Religious Life in America (1902), and On the Training of Parents (1907).

Edward Abbott died in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on April 5, 1908.