Background
Colchester was the son of Charles Abbot, 1st Baron Colchester, Speaker of the House of Commons, and Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Philip Gibbes, 1st Baronet.
politician president naval commander
Colchester was the son of Charles Abbot, 1st Baron Colchester, Speaker of the House of Commons, and Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Philip Gibbes, 1st Baronet.
He was educated at Westminster College and the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.
Colchester served in the Royal Navy. He was promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1854, to Vice-Admiral in 1860 and to Admiral in 1854. Colchester succeeded to his father"s peerage in 1829 and entered the House of Lords.
However, it was not until 1835 that he made his maiden speech.
He served under the Earl of Derby as Paymaster-General and Vice-President of the Board of Trade in 1852 and as Postmaster General between 1858 and 1859. In 1852 he was sworn of the Privy Council.
Apart from his naval and political career he was also President of the Royal Geographical Society between 1845 and 1847. Lord Colchester married the Honorary
Elizabeth Susan, daughter of Edward Law, 1st Baron Ellenborough, in 1836.
Lady Colchester died in March 1883.