Abbott, Edith (1876–1957)
Abbott, Edith (1876–1957)
American social worker and educator. Born on September 26, 1876, in Grand Island, Nebraska; died on July 28, 1957; daughter of Othman A. and Elizabeth (Griffin) Abbott (a noted pioneer in educational workin the West); sister of social worker Grace Abbott ; graduated from the University of Nebraska, 1901.
During her nearly 50-year career, Edith Abbott advocated the use of social research to advance social reform. After a brief stint teaching economics at Wellesley College (1907–08), she became a resident of Hull House (1908–20) and a member of the faculty of the University of Chicago (1911–23), before becoming dean of the School of Social Service Administration (1924–42) and dean emeritus (1942–53). Abbott was the author of several books on crime, immigration, and labor, including Women in Industry (1910), The Tenements of Chicago (1936), and Public Assistance (1939). A critic of politics in welfare programs, she fought against injustices in the treatment of the poor.