Hi, I just wanted to add to the information on the origin of the name Abigail Van Buren. My grandfather, Scott Newhall, was the editor to which Pauline "Popo" Phillips applied. In late 1955, she approached the San Francisco Chronicle, saying she could do a better job with the advice column. The Chronicle gave her some sample letters to answer, and she did an excellent job, impressing Scott very much. He told her that the Chronicle would hire her, but that she would have to use a new name, and that the Chronicle would own the rights to it. Scott thought that the first name of a lovelorn columnist should be something quaint and elegant, and something that could be shortened to a catchy name. He started through an alphabetical list of girls' names, and quickly came across "Abigail". He particularly liked the shortened "Abby," and was sold. For her last name, he wanted something all-American and stately, with a touch of elegance. He picked the name of the eighth president, Martin Van Buren. Pauline didn't like this new name at all, and said so in writing to Scott. She did agree to the name, though, and was hired. Abby was ultimately hired away from the Chronicle by a feature syndicate, and by then the column was well established. She and the syndicate demanded that she be given full ownership of the name "Dear Abby." Scott refused, but eventually settled with a few conditions: they could take ownership of the name provided (a) Abby could never terminate her contract with the Chronicle, and (b) the Chronicle would forever own the name in the San Francisco Bay area (which I believe it still does). - David Newhall
Hi, I just wanted to add to the information on the origin of the name Abigail Van Buren. My grandfather, Scott Newhall, was the editor to which Pauline "Popo" Phillips applied. In late 1955, she approached the San Francisco Chronicle, saying she could do a better job with the advice column. The Chronicle gave her some sample letters to answer, and she did an excellent job, impressing Scott very much. He told her that the Chronicle would hire her, but that she would have to use a new name, and that the Chronicle would own the rights to it. Scott thought that the first name of a lovelorn columnist should be something quaint and elegant, and something that could be shortened to a catchy name. He started through an alphabetical list of girls' names, and quickly came across "Abigail". He particularly liked the shortened "Abby," and was sold. For her last name, he wanted something all-American and stately, with a touch of elegance. He picked the name of the eighth president, Martin Van Buren. Pauline didn't like this new name at all, and said so in writing to Scott. She did agree to the name, though, and was hired. Abby was ultimately hired away from the Chronicle by a feature syndicate, and by then the column was well established. She and the syndicate demanded that she be given full ownership of the name "Dear Abby." Scott refused, but eventually settled with a few conditions: they could take ownership of the name provided (a) Abby could never terminate her contract with the Chronicle, and (b) the Chronicle would forever own the name in the San Francisco Bay area (which I believe it still does).
- David Newhall