Abba Goold Woolson

Abba Goold Woolson (, Goold; April 30, 1838 – February 6, 1921) was a 19th-century American teacher, author, and poet from Maine. She published several volumes, including: Women in American Society; Dress Reform (1874); Browsing Among Books (1881); and George Eliot and Her Heroines (1887). Woolson taught and lectured on various topics.

Early life and education Abba Louisa Goold was born in Windham, Maine, April 30, 1838, at the old homestead at Windham, from Portland, Maine. The second of seven children, she was the daughter of Hon. William Goold, who was recognized in Portland as an authority on matters which concern its local history. He served for years as an active member, and as corresponding secretary, of the Maine Historical Society. He was the author of several leading papers, and of a large volume entitled Portland in the Past, published in that city in 1886. For two years, he represented the Portland district in the State Legislature as senator, with a previous service of two years as representative.

Her family lived in Windham for four generations, her great-grandfather, Benjamin Goold —a native of Kittery, Maine— having moved there from Portland (then Falmouth) in 1774. He served as town treasurer; his son Nathan was justice of the peace and represented the town in the Massachusetts Legislature, when Maine was a province of that state, and was made captain of the military company raised in Gorham and Windham for service in the War of 1812. The family had a private burial ground on a nearby ridge bearing the name of "Happy Hill". Several generations of Goolds are buried there. Woolson published several other volumes, including: Women in American Society (1873); Browsing Among Books (1881); and George Eliot and Her Heroines (1887).

Woolson is also remembered as a poet. When Portland, Maine celebrated its centennial in 1886, Woolson was unanimously chosen to fill the position of poet, reading a long ode on that occasion. In Concord, she delivered poems at the opening of the Board of Trade Building, of the Chapel of the Second Congregational Society, and of the Fowler Literary Building.

Selected works 1873, Woman in American society 1874, Dress-reform; a series of lectures delivered in Boston, on dress as it affects the health of women 188?, The kindergarten, what is it? 1881, Browsing among books, and other essays 1886, George Eliot and Her Heroines 1886, Centennial poem. Delivered at Portland, July 6, 1886 1889, Exercises at the dedication of the Fowler Library Building, Concord, New Hampshire, October 18, 1888 1915, With garlands green

Personal life In Boston, Woolson was a member of several literary and benevolent associations, and was especially active in the Castilian Club, having served as president. In 1883–1884, she traveled for 13 months, spending a summer in Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England, also visiting Austria, Hungary, Southern Italy, Spain, and Morocco. In previous years, she had traveled to the Pacific Coast and Yosemite Valley. Woolson died in 1921.