Abbott became interested in the arts while working as a lawyer. First, he gained interest in photography, followed by an interest for painting. He quit working in law and went to study painting. He studied at the
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, training under
Thomas Anshutz. He relocated to Paris, France. He studied at the
Académie Colarossi. There, he trained under
Raphael Collin and
Gustave Courtois. He returned from Paris and moved to
Rose Valley, Pennsylvania. He married
Elenore Abbott in 1898. Abbott fathered one child with Elenore, Marjorie (1907-?). The couple relocated to Philadelphia in 1913. Abbott also worked in
Rockport, Massachusetts. He co-founded the
Rockport Art Association. Starting in 1916, his work was featured in the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Annual Exhibition, until he died. ==Later life and legacy==