AustLit

Abbott's biographical note in The Bulletin Story Book (1901) reads as follows: 'After a joyous stormy youth was trained for the law; but before serving his articles was offered post of U. S. Consul at Dunedin. Thence went to Fiji as managing clerk to a barrister who was also editor of the Fiji Gazette. Came to New South Wales and edited a Riverina paper. All over the world in the last five years. In Kimberly the night of the Jameson raid; made a living in London as a paragraphist, song-writer, and entertainer; conducted the orchestra at Pier Pavilion, Southend.' Abbott returned to Australia before his death.