Edwin Abbott Abbott was born in London on December 20, 1838. He was the eldest son of Edwin Abbott (1808–1882), headmaster of the Philological School, Marylebone, and his wife, Jane Abbott (1806–1882). His parents were first cousins.
He was educated at the City of London School and at St John's College, Cambridge, where he took the highest honors in classics, mathematics and theology, and became a fellow of his college. In particular, he was 1st Smith's prizeman in 1861. In 1862 he was ordained in the Church of England. After holding masterships at King Edward's School, Birmingham, he succeeded G. F. Mortimer as headmaster of the City of London School in 1865 at the early age of twenty-six. Here he oversaw the education of future Prime Minister H.H. Asquith. He was Hulsean lecturer in 1876. Twenty four years of work placed him among the acknowledged heads of his profession and made his school famous with the Universities.
He married Mary Rangeley, of Derbyshire, in 1863. His marriage was long and happy. They had two children: a son and a daughter. Mrs. Abbott died on February 5, 1919.
Though offered a Headmaster's position at Wellington College, he retired in 1889, and devoted himself to literary and theological pursuits. Dr. Abbott's liberal inclinations in theology were prominent both in his educational views and in his books. His
More weighty contributions are the anonymous theological discussion The Kernel and the Husk (1886), Philomythus (1891), his book
Abbott's best-known work is his 1884 novella
Abbott also wrote educational text books, one being
Edwin Abbott Abbott died of influenza on October 12, 1926 at his residence at Hampstead at the age of 87.
The collection comprises material collected by Thomas Banchoff, a professor of mathematics at Brown University. It is focused primarily on public education in England and one of the most prominent pioneers, Edwin Abbott Abbott. It is arranged into 1 series: Edwin Abbott Abbott. It consists of the following material: Photographs: photographs of Edwin Abbott Abbott, his family, his wife's gravestone. Also Basil Blackwell (founder of Blackwell Press), Israel Gollancz (cofounder of British Academy, student of Abbott) and his son Oliver, Frank V. Mortley (reviewer of Flatland), John Patterson (lawyer and friend), Alfred Vardi (schoolmaster, friend). There are also photographs of Thomas Banchoff in England. Correspondence: letters to his friends, associates, and family. Notebooks: 1 notebook allegedly belonging to Abbott. Clippings: newspaper clippings highlighting various individuals related to Abbott and their achievements, also Abbott's obituary.
Researchers are advised that express written permission to reproduce, quote, or otherwise publish any portion or extract from this collection must be obtained from the Brown University Library. Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Thomas Banchoff collection of materials relating to Edwin Abbott Abbott, Ms.2011.0016, Brown University
The collection is organized in one series: I. Edwin Abbott Abbott.
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
The material was a gift in February 2009 from Thomas Banchoff, professor of mathematics at Brown University.
See also Thomas Banchoff's collection of information about Edwin Abbott Abbott in the Brown Digital Repository presented under the title: "
Letter Edwin A. Abbott to John Percival dated Jan. 26, 1892. In the letter Abbott enclosed a "circular which my sister has recently issued, in case any of your pupils' parents may want a home for young Indian children." Abbott also alludes to a "big book" he has in the press. He writes that the book will be too big to send and requests that Percival get a copy from Mudie's.
Sympathy letter
Letter is dated "1/2/27." Letter states Mary Abbott's intention to give "a little book of notes by my Father," apparently enclosed with the letter, to Sir Israel Gollancz. This book of notes is also in this collection.
Edward W. Candler was the son of Howard Candler, to whom EAA dedicated his book Flatland. Edward Candler joined the law firm established by John Paterson which became Paterson, Candler and Sykes. Gift of Hillary Hammer, Esq., attorney at Vizard's law firm, successor of Paterson, Candler and Sykes.
Photocopy, 2 copies; regarding "My dear Bonney in 1865 letter (Folder A)
Signed with initials "E.A.A." Gift of William Hallett, Head Porter and Archivist, City of London School.
Given to Sir Israel Gollancz by Mary Abbott in her letter dated "1/2/27" [i.e. 1 February 1927?]. Includes notes on: Dante's Inferno ("19/9/67," 24 pages); Richard II (1 page); logical fallacies (9 pages, 1 diagram); Spenser's Faery Queen [sic] ("20/12/66," 32 pages); "In Memoriam" (16 pages); Chaucer's Prologue (4 pages); Macbeth ("14/1/69," 10 pages); Synopsis (3 pages).
The photograph is a reproduction of a 1914 original. The obituary appeared in The Times (London).
Obituary from the Manchester Guardian. Basil Blackwell's publishing house B. Blackwell brought out various editions of EAA's book Flatland.
This Edwin Abbott was the father of EAA. From the album of Peter Eden, grandnephew of EAA.
One photograph is an enlargement of part of the painting. This Edwin Abbott was the father of EAA.
This Edwin Abbott was the father of EAA.
From the City of London School.
From Headmaster's office, now in new City of London School main hall.
From the album of Peter Eden, grandnephew of EAA.
From the University of Auckland, New Zealand. William Steadman Aldis was First Wrangler, Smith's Prizeman. EAA was Chancellor's Medallist, First Classics.
From the album of Peter Eden, grandnephew of EAA.
[EAA is standing behind an open volume, and his spectacles are not visible, in contrast to another photograph taken at this time in which his spectacles are on the paper in front of him.]
From the City of London School. [EAA is standing behind a piece of paper with his spectacles on it.]
Gift of Barbara Phillipson. On the back of the photograph is written "Mrs. Abbott." Mary Elizabeth Rangeley Abbott was the wife of EAA.
Mary Abbott was the daughter of EAA. From the album of Peter Eden, grandnephew of EAA.
Mary Abbott is in the white blouse in the center. This photograph is of the Girton [College, University of Cambridge] First Year Class, 1889
This Edwin Abbott was the son of EAA. From the album of Peter Eden, grandnephew of EAA.
Edwin Abbott Parry was the nephew of EAA. From the album of Peter Eden, grandnephew of EAA.
Most clearly visible is the inscription for Mary Elizabeth Abbott, [?] August 1843 -- 5th February 1919.
In this photograph, Blackwell is reading the edition of EAA's Flatland published by B. Blackwell.
The information on the back of the photograph is from Barbara Phillipson. Phillipson was the granddaughter of John Paterson (see Fd. 36), EAA's friend and lawyer, whose law firm Edward Candler, Howard's son, joined.
Gift of Barbara Phillipson.
This portrait was done by Candler's youngest daughter, Bertha. Gift of Bertha Candler's son.
Bertha Candler was the youngest daughter of Howard Candler, not his youngest sister, as the note on the back of this photograph states. Gift of Barbara Phillipson.
Israel Gollancz was a student of EAA, and cofounder of the British Academy. Gift of Oliver Gollancz.
Oliver Gollancz is the son of Sir Israel Gollancz.
This photopraph was taken after the Hinton family left England, Hinton having been convicted of bigamy. Gift of Jean Rosner, granddaughter of C. Howard Hinton.
This drawing was done by A. Hugh Fisher. Frank Morley was a professor at Johns Hopkins University and founder of the American Journal of Mathematics. He was the father of Frank V., Christopher (author), and Felix (editor, president of Haverford College), all Rhodes Scholars.
Frank V. Morley was the reviewer of the republication of EAA's Flatland in the Saturday Review of Literature, 1926. This is a publicity photograph.
John Paterson was a friend of and the lawyer of EAA. Paterson served as the attorney of many of his friends. Gift of Barbara Phillipson, Paterson's granddaughter.
Vardy was a schoolmaster and one of EAA's best friends. Gift of Barbara Phillipson.
Banchoff (the donor of this collection) is Professor of Mathematics at Brown, and Boyes was Headmaster of the City of London School, of which EAA was formerly Headmaster. This photograph was taken in the Headmaster's office.
This photograph was taken when the subject was 97 years old. Professor Struik donated a copy of the 1929 Teubner German edition of Flatland to Brown University Library.
The City of London School was built in 1882.
This building is the site of the office of Sir Basil Blackwell.