Samuel Nelson Abbott was born in 1874 in Iowa. He studied art at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Art Students League of New York. He became known for his illustrations of men's clothing for Hart Schaffner & Marx, a prominent suit manufacturer. He also created cover art for popular magazines such as “Saturday Evening Post,” “Woman's Home Companion,” and “Ladies' Home Journal.” His style was influenced by Art Nouveau and American realism. He often depicted scenes of everyday life, historical figures, and exotic locations. He died in 1953 in New York.