 On the death of his father on 15 February 1843 he succeeded to the title of 3rd Baron Abercromby.He was a Whig Member of Parliament for Clackmannanshire, 1824–26 and 1830–1831; for Stirlingshire, 1838–1841; and for Clackmannanshire and Kinross-shire, 1841–1842.He was Lord Lieutenant of Clackmannanshire, 1840–1852.