-Harvard University Class of 1787, D.D. 1838
-Son of Dea. Abiel & Dorcas Abbot
-Married Elizabeth Abbot, dau of Capt. John Abbot
-Established the first publicly financed free library in the world.

Edited from Contributor onwitheshow #47595446:

"Reverend Abiel Abbot was a Unitarian minister and founder of the first tax-funded free public library."... " In 1827 he was installed as the minister of the Congregational Church in Peterborough, New Hampshire. He continued to minister until his retirement in 1849.

In 1833 at Peterborough, during a town meeting, a proposal was made that a portion of the State Literary Fund be used for the purchase of books to establish a library, free to all the citizens of Peterborough. Books purchased by Reverend Abbot and a board of trustees were made available for public use and initially housed in the general store.

In 1965 (the bicentennial of Abbot's birth), the New Hampshire State Legislature passed a resolution recognizing Abbot's role in founding the "first free public library in the world supported by taxation". The resolution also requested that a postage stamp be issued to commemorate the event. "

-Harvard University Class of 1787, D.D. 1838
-Son of Dea. Abiel & Dorcas Abbot
-Married Elizabeth Abbot, dau of Capt. John Abbot
-Established the first publicly financed free library in the world.

Edited from Contributor onwitheshow #47595446:

"Reverend Abiel Abbot was a Unitarian minister and founder of the first tax-funded free public library."... " In 1827 he was installed as the minister of the Congregational Church in Peterborough, New Hampshire. He continued to minister until his retirement in 1849.

In 1833 at Peterborough, during a town meeting, a proposal was made that a portion of the State Literary Fund be used for the purchase of books to establish a library, free to all the citizens of Peterborough. Books purchased by Reverend Abbot and a board of trustees were made available for public use and initially housed in the general store.

In 1965 (the bicentennial of Abbot's birth), the New Hampshire State Legislature passed a resolution recognizing Abbot's role in founding the "first free public library in the world supported by taxation". The resolution also requested that a postage stamp be issued to commemorate the event. "