Jacob Abbott (November 14, 1803 – October 31, 1879) was an American writer of children's books and historical biographies.
Early life
On November 14, 1803, Abbott was born in Hallowell, Maine to Jacob Abbott II and Betsey Chandler. He attended the Hallowell Academy.
Education
Abbott graduated from Bowdoin College in 1820. At some point during his years there, he supposedly added the second "t" to his surname, to avoid being "Jacob Abbot the 3rd" (although one source notes he did not actually begin signing his name with two t's until several years later).
Abbott studied at Andover Theological Seminary in 1821, 1822, and 1824. He taught at Portland Academy and was a tutor in Amherst College during the next year.
Career
From 1825 to 1829 Abbott was professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Amherst College;</blockquote>
thumb|Fewacres in 1906, Abbott's residence at Farmington, Maine
His brothers, John Stevens Cabot Abbott and Gorham Dummer Abbott, were also authors.
See his Young Christian, Memorial Edition, with a Sketch of the Author by Edward Abbott with a bibliography of his works.
Other works of note: Lucy Books, Jonas Books, Harper's Story Books, Marco Paul, Gay Family, and Juno Books.
Personal life
On May 18, 1829, Abbott married Harriet Vaughan.