ABBOTT, LYMAN (1835-1922), American divine and author, was born at Roxbury (Mass.), on Dec. i8, 1835, the son of Jacob Abbott. He graduated at New York university in 1853, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1856; but abandoning the legal profession, after studying theology with his uncle, J. S. C. Abbott, he was ordained a minister of the Congregational church in 186o. After pastorates in Terre Haute (Ind.), and New York City, he became an associate editor of Harper's Magazine, editor of the Illustrated Christian Weekly, and co editor (1876-81) of The Christian Union with Henry Ward Beecher, whom he succeeded in 1888 as pastor of Plymouth church, Brooklyn. From this pastorate he resigned 11 years later. From 1881 he was editor-in-chief of The Christian Union, re named The Outlook in 1893 ; this periodical reflected his efforts toward social reform and his humane and liberal theology. To the end of his long life he continued to take an active and author itative part in the discussion of public questions. He died in New York City on Oct. 22, 1922.
The serenity and dignity of his life are reflected in his works which include, besides his many magazine articles, Jesus of Nazareth (1869); Evolution of Christianity (Lowell Lectures, 1896) • The Theology of an Evolutionist (1897) ; Christianity and Social Problems (1897) ; Life and Letters of Paul (1898) ; Problems of Life (19oo) ; The Rights of Man (1900 ; • Henry Ward Beecher (19°3) ; The Christian Ministry (1905) ; The Personality of God (1905); Industrial Problems (19o5) ; America in the Making 0910 ; and Reminiscences (1915).