He was born lemuel abbott in leicestershire in 1760 or 1761, the son of clergyman lemuel abbott, curate of anstey (and later vicar of thornton) and his spouse mary. In 1775, at the age of 14, he became a scholar of francis hayman and lived in london, however returned to his dad and mom after his teacher's demise in 1776. There he continued to expand his artistic abilties independently, however a few authorities have cautioned that he may have studied with joseph wright of derby. In 1780, abbott married anna maria, and again settled in london, residing for decades in caroline road in bloomsbury. Although he exhibited on the royal academy, he by no means have become an academician. It's far stated that overwork, due to the commissions he took on, and domestic sadness led to his becoming insane. He became declared insane in 1798, and changed into dealt with via Dr thomas munro (1759–1833), the chief health practitioner to bethlem medical institution and a expert in mental disorders – munro additionally treated king george iii (1738–1820). Abbott died in london on five december 1803.