Robert Abbe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Abbe
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Circa 1900
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| Born | April 13, 1851 |
| Died | March 7, 1928 (Age 76) |
| Alma mater | College of the City of New York Columbia University |
| Known for | Radiation oncology |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Medicine |
| Institutions | New York Hospital St. Luke's Hospital |
Robert Abbe (born April 13, 1851 – died March 7, 1928) was an American doctor. He was a skilled surgeon and a very early expert in radiology in New York City. He was born in New York City and studied at the College of the City of New York and Columbia University.
Abbe was especially known as a plastic surgeon. From 1877 to 1884, he worked as a surgeon and taught surgery at several hospitals. These included New York Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital. During his summers, he traveled a lot. He collected many interesting items made by Native American people.
He became ill, possibly because of his work handling radium. He passed away from anemia.
A Pioneer in Medicine
Robert Abbe was a famous surgeon and a medical pioneer. He worked as a surgeon at Roosevelt Hospital in New York. Today, the plastic surgery lab there is named after him. He also gave lectures and was a leader in important medical groups.
He became friends with the famous scientists, the Curies. He was especially close to Marie Curie. He took many photos of her and learned about how radium was made. Together, they explored how radiation and x-rays could be used in medicine.
In 1904, he started using radiation to treat cancer. This led to a new field of medicine called radiation oncology. In 1927, he also started the Abbe Museum to show his collection of Native American items.
After talking with Professor and Madame Curie, he visited their labs in Paris in 1904. He joined their important research. He then became the first person to use radiation therapy in the United States. He strongly believed that using tobacco caused cancer. He reported over 100 cases of cancer in people who smoked. Later in life, at his summer home, he created a garden. In its pond, he had two swans named Pierre and Marie.
The Abbe Museum
Many people called Robert Abbe "the best-loved summer resident of Bar Harbor." Those who knew him saw his special spirit. Today, many visitors to the Museum still feel the unique connection to the man and the place.
While spending summers in Bar Harbor, Abbe was very interested in old Native American tools. He found these tools in nearby shell heaps. As he started collecting these items, he realized they needed a safe, permanent home. Even when he was very sick, probably from working with radium, he worked hard to create the museum.
His dream of a museum came true with help from friends. These friends included George Dorr and Charles Eliot. They were key people in creating Acadia National Park. The museum opened on August 14, 1928. It was also a way to remember Robert Abbe, who had died just five months earlier.
Abbe gathered a large collection of Native American archaeological items. He found these during his summers on Mount Desert Island. The Abbe Museum opened in 1928. It was one of the first museums built in Maine. Its opening happened around the same time as the national park was formed. The park was first called Lafayette National Park in 1919 and became Acadia in 1929. The Abbe Museum was planned as a museum along a trail. It was meant to add to what the park offered. Today, it is one of only two private trailside museums left in national parks.
Robert Abbe had many talents and interests. He was a photographer and an artist. He painted, drew lines, and made molded maps. His large map called "The Land of Dawn" is on display in the museum. He also made a watercolor sketch of the museum. He finished this sketch shortly before he passed away.
Family Connections
Robert Abbe was the brother of Cleveland Abbe. He was also the uncle of Cleveland Abbe Jr. and Truman Abbe.
Images for kids
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Mrs. Robert Abbe (Catherine Amory Bennett)
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