He was educated at Eton and Jesus College, Cambridge, where he was a cricketer and rower.
[2] His highest score of 72 not out came when playing for Marylebone Cricket Club in a match against Oxford University in 1841.
[3] In the same year Anson rowed for the Cambridge Subscription Rooms crew that won the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.
Anson was ordained deacon (London) on 18 December 1842 and priest (Norwich) on 13 August 1843.
Anson married Ann Jane Packe, daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Packe of Twyford Hall, Norfolk, on 5 August 1846.