Background
Abney was born in Newton, Leicestershire, the son of James Abney of Willesley, then in Derbyshire, now in Leicestershire, who had been Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1656.
Abney was born in Newton, Leicestershire, the son of James Abney of Willesley, then in Derbyshire, now in Leicestershire, who had been Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1656.
Christ"s College.
Edward was educated at Ashby School, Measham school and Christ"s College, Cambridge, where he graduated Bachelor in 1652-1653. He was a Fellow of Christ"s College from 1655 to 1661. Knighted in 1673, he served as Member of Parliament for Leicester Borough from 1690 to 1698.
He was blind for the last twenty years of his life, dying in 1727/8.