Lyman Abbott

Date of Birth: December 18, 1835

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: October 22, 1922

Biography

Lyman Abbott was a distinguished American author, theologian, and editor, whose intellectual contributions spanned the latter half of the 19th century and the early 20th century. Born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, Abbott was the son of Jacob Abbott, a well-known writer of children’s books. After graduating from New York University in 1853, Lyman Abbott pursued a career in law, but his interests soon shifted to theology. He was ordained as a Congregational minister in 1860, serving various congregations before turning his focus to writing and editing. Abbott is best known for his editorship of “The Christian Union” (later renamed “The Outlook”), a prominent religious and social journal of the time. Under his leadership, the publication became a significant platform for progressive ideas and social reform. He was also a prolific writer, authoring numerous books on theology, social issues, and biographies, including a well-regarded biography of Henry Ward Beecher, his mentor and predecessor at Plymouth Church in Brooklyn. Throughout his career, Abbott was a vocal advocate for social justice, education, and the application of Christian principles to everyday life. His works and editorial efforts left an enduring impact on American religious thought and social policy.

5 Interesting Facts about Lyman Abbott

1. Lyman Abbott was a close friend and confidant of President Theodore Roosevelt, often advising him on matters of social policy and reform.

2. Abbott succeeded the famous preacher Henry Ward Beecher as pastor of Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, New York.

3. He played a significant role in the Social Gospel movement, which aimed to apply Christian ethics to social problems such as poverty and inequality.

4. Despite his theological background, Abbott was a strong supporter of Darwin’s theory of evolution and sought to reconcile it with Christian beliefs.

5. Abbott’s editorial work with “The Outlook” helped shape public opinion on many critical issues of his time, including women’s suffrage and labor rights.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Lyman Abbott

1. “Every life is a march from innocence, through temptation, to virtue or vice.”

2. “Religion is not a method, nor a system for getting to heaven; it is a new impulse and a new principle put into the heart of man.”

3. “The truth which makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear.”

4. “Patriotism is often an arbitrary veneration of real estate above principles.”

5. “A child is a beam of sunlight from the Infinite and Eternal, with possibilities of virtue and vice—but as yet unstained.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Lyman Abbott’s financial success primarily came from his editorial and literary work, but specific figures regarding his highest net worth are not well-documented. However, his influence and reach were significant in intellectual and social circles.

Children

Lyman Abbott and his wife, Abby Frances Hamlin, had six children. Their sons include Lawrence Fraser Abbott, Philip Abbott, Ernest Hamlin Abbott, and Herbert Vaughan Abbott. Lawrence Fraser Abbott was notable for his own contributions to literature and for collaborating with his father on several editorial projects.