Anthony Brenton was born on 1 January 1950, son of Ivan Bernard Brenton and Jean Sylvia Brenton (née Rostgard). He was educated at the Peter Symonds School, Queens’ College, University of Cambridge (BA) and the Open University (MPhil). In 1981 he married Susan Mary Penrose, having one son and two daughters.

Brenton joined the Diplomatic Service in 1975, and his career included the following posts: 2nd Secretary, Cairo [Egypt], 1978-81; European Communities Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 1981-85; with UK Permanent Representation to EC, 1985-86; Deputy Chef de Cabinet, EC, 1986-89; Counsellor, 1989; Head: UN Department, FCO, 1989-90; Environment, Science and Energy Department, FCO, 1990-92; Fellow, Centre for International Affairs, Harvard University, 1992-93; Counsellor, Moscow, 1994-98; Director for Global Issues, FCO, 1998-2001; Minister, Washington [United States], 2001-04; Ambassador to Russia, 2004-08.