Theophilus Capen AbbotTheophilus Capen Abbot (April 29, 1826 – November 7, 1892) was a leader in the early days of public education in Ann Arbor and the first principal at the Ann Arbor Union School.
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Abbot Elementary School was named in honor of Dr. Theophilus Capen Abbot (1826-1892), a leader in the early days of public education in Ann Arbor. In 1857, Dr. Abbot became the first principal at the Ann Arbor Union School, which was the first public school built to serve the entire city of Ann Arbor. Dr. Abbot developed the curriculum and pattern of administration for the new school of 400 students and also taught Latin and Greek. Dr. Abbot left Ann Arbor to teach at the newly organized Michigan Agricultural College in East Lansing, which later became Michigan State University. In 1863, he was unanimously appointed as the third president of that institution, a position he held for over 20 years.
