Background
Abbott was born in London, the son of Charles Abbott (1803–1838), younger son of Charles Abbott, 1st Baron Tenterden.
Abbott was born in London, the son of Charles Abbott (1803–1838), younger son of Charles Abbott, 1st Baron Tenterden.
Eton College.
He was educated at Eton College (1848-1853), and entered into service at the Foreign Office in 1854 by the patronage of the foreign secretary, Lord Clarendon. In the 1860s and "70s Abbott was involved in the negotiations of the famous Alabama Claims. His sense of moderation came to good use in the successful arbitration of the dispute.
In 1873 Tenterden was promoted to the post of permanent under-secretary, and in 1878 he was created Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. Penelope died in 1879.
The year after Tenterden married the widow Emma Rowcliffe (née Bailey, d 1928). He died in Lynmouth in 1882.