Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Abt, Franz

ABT, FRANZ, (apt), a German song writer; born in Saxony, Dec. 22, 1819. He studied theology at Leipsic, but abandoned it for music. In 1841 he became kapellmeister at the court theater at Bernburg; shortly afterward relinquishing the post for a similar one in Zurich, where he remained till 1852. In 1882 he retired to Wiesbaden. Many of his songs (for example, &ldquo;When the Swallows Homeward Fly,&rdquo; &ldquo;Good Night, Thou Child of My Heart,&rdquo; &ldquo;O Ye Tears,&rdquo; etc.), have endeared themselves to the heart of the people all over the world. He died March 31, 1885.

Source: Collier's New Encyclopedia 1. (1921) New York: P.F. Collier & Son Company. 12.