Abbott, Sir Joseph Palmer, 1842 – 1901

Sir Joseph Abbott (1842-1901), solicitor and parliamentarian, was born at Muswellbrook, NSW, the son of John Kingsmill Abbott and his wife Francis. He was educated at Muswellbrook, John Armstrong's School, Redfern, J. R. Huston's Academy, Surrey Hills, and The King's School, Parramatta.

He was admitted as a solicitor in 1865 and was elected member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for the seat of Gunnedah in 1880. He held the seat until 1887 when he was elected MLA for Wentworth which he held until 1901.

Abbott was a NSW delegate to the Federal Convention of 1891 where he acted as Chairman of Committees. He was Secretary for Mines (1883-1885), and for Lands (1885) and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly (1890-1900).