Abbott (1803-79) was an American writer of children's books. He was born in Hallowell, Maine, where he attended the Hallowell Academy before graduating from Bowdoin College in 1820. He went on to study at Andover Theological Seminary from 1821-24 where he became a tutor from 1824-25. From 1825-29 he was professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Amherst College and was licensed to preach by the Hampshire Association in 1826. In 1829 he founded the Mount Vernon School for Young Ladies in Boston where he was principal until 1833. He founded and was pastor of Eliot Congregational Church at Roxbury, Mass., in 1834-35, and with his brothers was founder of Abbott's Institute where he served as principal from 1843-51, and from 1845-48 of the Mount Vernon School for Boys in New York City. He was a prolific author, publishing 180 books covering subjects including juvenile fiction, brief histories, biographies, religious books for the general reader, and a few works of popular science. He also co-authored a further 31 titles. This biography of William the Conqueror for younger readers was first published as History of William the Conqueror in 1849 and is reprinted from the Harper & Bros Makers of History edition of 1902 which includes 10 illustrations and 2 maps.