Anne Abbott

Anna Wales Abott
Born April 10, 1808(1808-04-10)
Died June 1, 1908(1908-06-01) (aged 100)
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Nationality American
Other names Abbot
Occupation Game Designer, Magazine Editor

Anne Wales Abbott or, Abbot (April 10, 1808 – June 1, 1908) was a game designer, magazine editor, literary reviewer, and author. She was born 10 April 1808, the daughter of Reverend Abiel Abbott, a Beverly, Massachusetts clergyman, and Eunice Abbott.[1][2]

Abbott designed the hugely popular card game Dr. Busby, which was published by W. & S. B. Ives of Salem, Massachusetts that sold 15,000 copies in its first eighteen months[3] and "Master Roddenbury" through W. & S.B. Ives in 1844.[4]

In July 1850, Abbott reviewed Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter for the North American Review, declaring she liked the preface better than the tale. Abbott disapproved of Hawthorne's subject matter and believed he had allowed his good judgement to be carried away by "the magic power of the style." Hawthorne referred to Abbott as one of that "damned mob of scribbling women."[5]

Abbott served gratuitously as editor (1851–1858) of The Child's Friend, a literary journal for young people. Profits from the publication were directed to the relief of indigent and neglected children.[6][7]

In 1853, Abbott's Autumn Leaves: Original Pieces in Prose and Verse was published by John Bartlett of Cambridge. Children's books by Abbott include Doctor Busby and His Neighbors, Kate and Lizzie, or Six Months Out of School, Lost Wheelbarrow and Other Stories, and The Tamed and the Untamed and Other Stories.

Abbott died at Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1 June 1908.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Brown, Darren, Curator of Collections. Beverly Historical Society & Museum. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
  2. ^ Wolverton, Nan. "Toys and Childhood in the Early 19th Century." Old Sturbridge Village Visitor, Spring 1998.
  3. ^ Abbott, Anne Wales. DOCTOR BUSBY AND HIS NEIGHBORS. published by W. & S.B. Ives, Stearns Building. 1844, preface page i
  4. ^ American Antiquarian Society edition
  5. ^ Kennedy-Andrews, Elmer. The Scarlet Letter: Essays, Articles, Reviews. Columbia University Press, 2000. p.15. ISBN 0231121911 / ISBN 978-0231121910
  6. ^ Pflieger, Pat. American children's periodicals, 1841-1860. 2006-2008. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  7. ^ Crowley, Donald. Nathaniel Hawthorne: The Critical Heritage. Routledge, 1997. p.164. ISBN 041515930X / ISBN 978-0415159302.

External links