Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 01.djvu/22

ABBEYABBOT. ABBEY, Edwin Austin, artist, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1852. From childhood he displayed great artistic talent, which he was allowed to cultivate. He studied at the Pennsylvania academy of fine arts in Philadelphia, and in 1871 entered the publishing house of Harper & Brothers as an illustrator. His fame as an artist began with his work as it appeared in the periodicals and books of that house; among his finest productions being his illustrations of Robert Herrick's poems, Goldsmith's "She Stoops to Conquer," and the comedies of Shakespeare with 131 drawings. He was early made a member of the New York Water Color society. In 1878 he removed his studio to London, England, but continued his contributions to American publications. In 1883 the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colors elected him to membership, and in the same year he received a second-class medal at the national exhibition at Munich. He exhibited at the Paris Exposition in 1889, and obtained a first-class medal. Among his more notable early pictures are "The Stage Office," "The Evil Eye," "Lady in a Garden," "Rose in October," "The Widower," and "Reading the Bible." "Fiametta's Song," in the academy of 1893; his Arthurian canvases designed as panels for the Boston Public Library, illustrating the great mythological subject, "The Quest of the Holy Grail," painted in 1895; '"Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and the Lady Anne," exhibited at the Royal academy in 1896, established the artist's fame in the old world, and won for him an associateship in the Royal academy. He was subsequently made an associate of the Royal water-color society of Great Britain, and in 1897 he received the honorary degree of A.M. from Yale university. He exhibited his "King Lear" at the Royal academy in 1898. His works include: "A May Day Morning," "The Golden Necklace," "Richard III. and Lady Anne," "Hamlet," and illustrations for "Herrick's Poems," "She Stoops to Conquer," "Old Songs," "Quiet Life," and "Comedies of Shakespeare." He became a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor; a Royal Academician in 1898; received a gold medal at the Pan-American Exposition and was commissioned to paint the coronation of Edward VII. in 1901. ABBEY, Henry, poet, was born in Rondout, N. Y., July 11, 1842; son of Stephen and Caroline (Vail) Abbey. He attended Kingston academy and the Hudson River institute. He was editor of the Rondout Courier in 1862 and of the Orange, N.J., Spectator in 1863. In 1864-65 he was teller in a bank and in 1866 became a flour and grain merchant. He published: "May Dreams" (1862); "Ralph and Other Poems" (1866); "Stories in Verse" (1869): "Ballads of Good Deeds" (1872); "Poems" (1879. 3d ed., 1898); "The City of Success" (1883) and "Phaeton" (1901). ABBEY, Henry Eugene, manager, was born at Akron, Ohio, June 27, 1846. He engaged in business with his father, a jeweller, until 1869, when he leased the Akron opera house. He subsequently managed Edwin Adams and Lotta, organized a company in 1874, and in 1876 with John B. Schoeffel, leased the Academy of music, Buffalo, N.Y. In 1877 they leased the Park theatre, New York, and in 1879 opened the old Beethoven hall in Boston as the Park theatre. They next leased the Arch street theatre, Philadelphia (also renamed the Park theatre), and in 1880, Booth's theatre, New York, playing Edwin Booth and later Adelaide Neilson. In 1880 they brought Sarah Bernhardt over for her first American season and later managed Patti, Christine Nilsson, Mrs. Langtry, Henry Irving, Ellen Terry and Lawrence Barrett. In 1883 Maurice Grau became partner, and on Oct. 22, 1883, they opened with Italian opera, the venture leaving the firm with an indebtedness of nearly $290,000 which they eventually liquidated. In 1884 Mr. Abbey managed Mary Anderson in England and in 1885 brought her to America. In 1891 the firm opened the Tremont theatre in Boston. In 1892 they engaged the Metropolitan opera house, New York city, for another trial at grand opera, but the building was destroyed, together with over $200,000 worth of scenery. In 1893 they opened the new Metropolitan opera house with Faust, the cast including Emma Eames, the De Reszkes and Lassalle. At the same time Abbey's theatre was opened with Irving and Terry. In 1894 Coquelin, Jane Hading, Mounet-Sully and Beerbohm Tree were brought out, and in 1895, grand opera, Henry Irving and Lillian Russell gave them a successful season. He died in New York city, Oct. 17, 1896. ABBOT, Amos, representative, was born in Andover, Mass., Sept. 10. 1786; son of Jeduthan and Hannah (Poor) Abbot. He was a founder of the Boston and Maine railroad; was representative in the state legislature, 1835-36 and in 1842; state senator, 1840-41, and a Whig representative from Massachusetts in the 28th, 29th and 30th congresses, 1844-49. He married Esther West, and died in Andover, Mass., Nov. 2, 1868.