Theophilus C. Abbot

Theophilus Capen Abbot
3rd President of the State Agricultural College, now Michigan State University
In office 1862–1885
Preceded by	Lewis R. Fiske
Succeeded by	Edwin Willits
Personal details
Born	April 29, 1826 Vassalboro, Maine
Died	November 7, 1892 (aged 66)
Spouse(s)	Sarah Merrylees
Children	Mary Monat and Joseph Rodney
Alma mater	Colby College University of Michigan
[1]

Theophilus Capen Abbot (April 29, 1826 – November 7, 1892) was born in Vassalboro, Maine, and spent his early life in Augusta, Maine.

Life

At the age of fifteen he entered Colby University (now Colby College) at Waterville, Maine. He graduated in 1845 and received his A.M. degree from Colby four years later.

After receiving the A.M. degree, Abbot taught in Vermont, at the Bangor Theological Seminary in Maine, at Colby University, in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and at the Union School in Ann Arbor. In 1858, Abbot accepted the Professorship of English Literature at the State Agricultural College. He also served as the treasurer of the college in 1860, and as secretary pro tempore of the State Board of Agriculture in 1861 and 1862. He then served as the President of the State Agricultural College from 1862 until 1885.

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

In 1890, he received an LL.D. degree in 1890 from the University of Michigan.

Abbot Hall (attached to Mason Hall) in the Red Cedar residential complex is named in his honor, as is Abbot Road in East Lansing, Michigan, U.S.

References

1. http://www.archives.msu.edu/collections/presidents_abbot_c.php

External links

• Biographical Information (Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections)
• Theophilus Capen Abbot on LocalWiki
• Reports of the Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of Michigan, Lansing, MI: Hosmer & Kerr, 1858, pp. 437-443