[1] Allen was born in Nova Scotia, the son of a British Army officer.
He subsequently returned to Tasmania and purchased a farm at Cressy, where he spent seventeen years and developed a reputation as a successful breeder of sheep.
He then purchased a number of adjoining properties consisting of 5000 acres near Westbury, where he lived for the remainder of his life.
He supported the retention of the Legislative Council, pledged to oppose all taxation until "retrenchment had happened in all departments" and argued that free and compulsory education was unaffordable.
[8] After initial reports that he would retire at the 1909 election, Allen decided to contest the Legislative Council seat of Macquarie instead; however, he was unsuccessful.