Henry Eugene Abbey
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Henry Eugene Abbey (June 27, 1846 - October 17,1896) was an American theatre manager and producer. During the 1870s - 1890s, he managed such prominent Broadway theatres as Booth's, Wallack's, and the Park Theatre, promoting the talents of some of the foremost American actors of his day, as well as European stars. Abbey also had the distinction of being the first manager of New York's Metropolitan Opera Company, which opened for its inaugural season in 1883. He resigned after a financially unsuccessful first season, but was re-hired in 1891, along with John B. Schoeffel and Maurice Grau. He continued in this capacity until his death in 1896.
Henry Abbey was born in Akron, Ohio on June 27, 1846, to clockmaker Henry Stephen Abbey and Elizabeth Smith Abbey. He died in New York City on October 17, 1896, at the age of 50.