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Abbott Payson Usher

1883 – 1965

American economic historian

Historian of technologyEconomist University teacher
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About Abbott Payson Usher

Lived 1883 – 1965 (aged 81–82). Abbott Payson Usher was an American historian of technology, economist, university teacher and historian.

Abbott Payson Usher (January 13, 1883 – June 18, 1965) was an American economic historian. The Society for the History of Technology (SHOT) has awarded the Abbot Payson Usher Prize, named in his honor, annually since 1961.

In the late 1920s Usher, the American historian Lewis Mumford and the Swiss art historian Sigfried Giedion began to systematically investigate the social consequences of technology. In A History of Mechanical Inventions Usher argued that technological innovation was a slow, collective process with many contributors, not relying on the genius of great inventors.

In 1963 Usher was awarded the Leonardo da Vinci Medal by the Society for the History of Technology (SHOT). His daughter Miriam Usher Chrisman was a noted historian of the German Reformation.

He earned his BA and PhD at Harvard University.

Publications

(Harvard University Press, 1954; Dover Publications, 1988 )

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Important facts

Born
1883, Lynn
Birth century
Died
1965, Salem
Occupation
Historian of technology, economist, university teacher, historian
Nationality
Education
Harvard University
Also known as
Abbott P. Usher, A. P. Usher, Abbott Usher

People in Abbott Payson Usher's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Abbott Payson Usher's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Abbott Payson Usher?

American economic historian

When was Abbott Payson Usher born?

Abbott Payson Usher was born in 1883 in Lynn.

When did Abbott Payson Usher die?

Abbott Payson Usher died in 1965 in Salem.

What was Abbott Payson Usher's occupation?

Abbott Payson Usher was a historian of technology, economist, university teacher and historian.

What nationality was Abbott Payson Usher?

Abbott Payson Usher was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Abbott Payson Usher

· Wikidata: Q306771

· DBpedia: Abbott Payson Usher

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Abbott Payson Usher. https://biography.guide/abbott-payson-usher/

MLA: "Abbott Payson Usher." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/abbott-payson-usher/.

Chicago: "Abbott Payson Usher." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/abbott-payson-usher/.

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