Jacob Abbott
(1803-1879) was born in Hallowell, graduated from Bowdoin College in 1820 and from Andover Theological Seminary in 1825. He was professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Amherst College from 1825-1829. He was ordained in 1834 at Elliot Church, Boston Highlands. An author, he wrote extensively for juveniles, including his first success, The Young Christian (1825), The Corner Stone, 30 volumes of juvenile biographies, 24 volumes of the “Rollo”, “Lucy”, and “Jonas” stories. Around 1837 he moved in with his father in Farmington, where he continued writing children’s books. Jacob Abbott died in Farmington in 1879. His brother Jacob Stevens Cabot Abbott was also a prolific author and Bowdoin College graduate.
Additional resources
Jacob Abbott image from Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Abbott accessed February 18, 2019 [Public Domain]
Kendall, Philip Wesley. The Times and Tales of Jacob Abbott. Microfilm. Ann Arbor, Mich. University Microfilms. 1968.
Pratt, Jennie Lawrence. Jacob Abbott, The Author of the Rollo Books. Lewiston, Me. Journal Printshop. 1924.
Selected works . . .
Agnes: A Franconia Story (1853)
Alexander the Great (1876)
Alfred the Great (1901)
American History (1860-1865 – 8 vols.)
The Apple Gathering (1855)
August and Elvie (1873)
Beechnut: A Franconia Story (1850)
Bruno: or, Lessons of fidelity, patience, and self-denial taught by a dog (1854)
Cousin Lucy Among the Mountains (1870)
Cousin Lucy at study (1841)
Cyrus the Great (1878)
The Duties of Parents: in Regard to the Schools Where Their Children are Instructed (1834)
The Florence Stories (1866)
Forests of Maine (1843)
“Few Acres,” home of Jacob Abbott, Farmington, ME; from a 1906 postcard.
The Franconia stories (1850-1853)
Gentle Measures in the Management and Training of the Young (1871)
Histories of William the Conqueror and Queen Elizabeth (1876)
History of Hannibal the Carthaginian (1849)
History of King Alfred of England (1849)
History of King Charles the First of England (1848)
History of King Richard the First of England (1857)
History of Xerxes the Great (1860)
Jonas on a Farm in Summer (1853)
New England and Her Institutions (1835)
Rollo in Geneva (1858)
Rollo in Holland (1857)
The Rollo Philosophy (1841)
Stories of Rainbow and Lucky (1859)
The Teacher: Moral Influences Employed in the Instruction and Government of the Young (1856)
The Young Christian: or, A Familiar Illustration of the Principles of Christian Duty (1825)