John augustus father of probation biography template

John Augustus (1784/1785–1859), a successful shoemaker, a prominent citizen in Boston, and the acknowledged “father of probation,” was born in Woburn, Massachusetts.

He was known primarily for his pioneering efforts to divert drunkards and other minor offenders from incarceration, and it is estimated that at the time of his death, he had helped almost 2,000 prisoners at a personal cost of $243,234.

He is also credited with coining the word probation, from the Latin word probare (meaning to test or to prove).

Little is known of Augustus's background or early years.

Who is the father of probation

At the age of 21, he moved to Lexington, Massachusetts, and became a cordwainer (shoemaker), eventually owning his own business. One indication of his prosperity occurred in 1819, when he deeded a large tract of land to the Lexington Academy to establish a school where he became a trustee.

He moved to Boston in 1827 and continued his work as shoemaker. In 1841, Augustus was an active memb