Theophilus Capen Abbot (April 29, 1826 – November 7, 1892) was an American educator and the third

President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...

of the State Agricultural College (now

Michigan State University Michigan State University (Michigan State or MSU) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in East Lansing, Michigan, United States. It was founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State o ...

), serving from 1863 until 1885.

Early life

He was born in

Vassalboro, Maine Vassalboro (originally Vassalborough) is a town in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,520 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Vassalboro includes the villages of Riverside, Getchell's Corner, North Vassalboro, ...

, and spent his early life in

Augusta, Maine Augusta is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Maine. The city's population was 18,899 at the 2020 United States census, making it the List of cities in Maine, 12th-most populous city in Maine, and third ...

. At the age of fifteen he entered Colby University (now Colby College) in

Waterville, Maine Waterville is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of the Kennebec River. A college town, the city is home to Colby College, a New England Small College Athletic Conference, NESCAC college, and Thomas College. As ...

. He graduated in 1845 with his

bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree (from Medieval Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six years ...

, and received his A.M. degree from Colby four years later.

Career

After receiving his

master's degree A master's degree (from Latin ) is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional prac ...

, Abbot taught in Vermont, at Bangor Theological Seminary and Colby University in Maine, and in

Berrien Springs, Michigan Berrien Springs is a village in Berrien County, Michigan, Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,910 at the time of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. The village is located within Oronoko Charter Township, Mi ...

. In 1857, he became the first principal of the Union School (later Ann Arbor High School), the first

secondary school A secondary school, high school, or senior school, is an institution that provides secondary education. Some secondary schools provide both ''lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper secondary education'' (ages 14 to 18), i.e., b ...

to serve the entire city of

Ann Arbor, Michigan Ann Arbor is a city in Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States, and its county seat. The 2020 United States census, 2020 census recorded its population to be 123,851, making it the List of municipalities in Michigan, fifth-most populous cit ...

. In 1858, Abbot accepted the Professorship of

English literature English literature is literature written in the English language from the English-speaking world. The English language has developed over more than 1,400 years. The earliest forms of English, a set of Anglo-Frisian languages, Anglo-Frisian d ...

at the newly formed State Agricultural College (later Michigan Agricultural College and now Michigan State University) in

East Lansing, Michigan East Lansing is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Most of the city lies within Ingham County, although a small portion extends north into Clinton County. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 47,741. The city is located immediate ...

. He also served as the treasurer of the college in 1860, and as secretary ''

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'' of the State Board of Agriculture in 1861 and 1862. In December 1862, he was unanimously selected as the third president of the college, a position he held for 22 years (1862-1885) while still continuing to teach. Ill health forced him to step down as president in 1885, and then later from his professorship in 1889. In 1890, he received an honorary LL.D. degree in 1890 from the

University of Michigan The University of Michigan (U-M, U of M, or Michigan) is a public university, public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Mi ...

. His health continued to deteriorate after his retirement and he died on November 7, 1892.

Personal life

On July 5, 1860, Abbot married Sarah Merrylees, a teacher at the Union School in Ann Arbor, and they had two children: Mary Mouat (b. January 10, 1863; d. March 20, 1903) and Joseph Rodney (b. March 30, 1865).

Legacy

* Abbot Hall (attached to Mason Hall) in Michigan State University's North Neighborhood. * Abbot Road in

. * Abbot Elementary School, of Ann Arbor Public Schools.

References

External links

Biographical Information
(Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections) *
Reports of the Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of Michigan
Lansing, MI: Hosmer & Kerr, 1858, pp. 437–443 {{DEFAULTSORT:Abbot, Theophilus C. 1826 births 1892 deaths Presidents of Michigan State University Colby College alumni Colby College faculty University of Michigan Law School alumni People from Vassalboro, Maine People from Augusta, Maine