Philip Abbott

Philip R. Abbott (October 18, 1944 – April 23, 2019) was a professor emeritus of political science at Wayne State University, where he taught for 45 years, and author of numerous books and articles including Political Thought in America, making him "one of the leading scholars in the discipline of political science" and "one of the nation's foremost political theorists".

Background Philip Reading Abbott was born in Abington, Pennsylvania, to William and Beryl Abbott and had a brother named William. In 1966, he obtained a BA in political science from American University and in 1971 a PhD (directed by Gordon Schochet ) from Rutgers University. (writer Patricia Abbott), had two children, Josh Abbott (prosecutor) and Megan Abbott (writer).

Philip Abbott died aged 77 on April 23, 2019, in Detroit. Michigan Association of Governing Boards of Higher Education Award

Legacy

Academia Early in his career, Abbott began receiving recognition among his academic peers. For example, in 1974, Wilson Carey McWilliams wrote, "Philip Abbott's concern and ability make him the kind of critic that every author longs for and seldom finds." Colleague Daniel S. Geller wrote in his remembrance that a principal reason for his joining Wayne State University was "the opportunity to work with a scholar of the stature of Philip Abbott." Doctoral students include Bob Fitrakis.

Works Abbot wrote more than a dozen books and more than 40 articles concerning American political science and political thought in journals including: Perspectives on Policy, Polity, Journal of Politics, Political Research Quarterly, Political Theory, and Presidential Studies Quarterly.

Books written Shotgun Behind the Door (1976) Furious Fancies (1980) The Family on Trial (1981) Seeking Many Inventions (1987) States of Perfect Freedom (1987) Political Thought in America (1991, 1999, 2005) Leftward Ho!: V.F. Calverton and American Radicalism (1993) Strong Presidents (1996) Exceptional America (1999) Challenge of the American Presidency (2004) Accidental Presidents (2008) Challenge of the American Presidency: Washington to Obama (2011) Bad Presidents (2013)

Books edited Reflections in American Political Thought with Michael P. Riccards (1973) Liberal Future in America with Michael B. Levy (1985) Critical Review of Studies On the Social and Economic Impacts of Vietnam's International Economic Integration (2006) Many Faces of Patriotism (2007)

Articles "Accidental Presidents: Death, Assassination, Resignation, and Democratic Succession", Presidential Studies Quarterly (2005)