Although born in Portsmouth, Anson is remembered as a marine artist based in Morayshire. He also published several books on maritime themes. He maintained a strong religious faith, having joined an Anglican Community at the age of 21, and later was accepted into the Roman Catholic Church.
Anson influenced the author Neil Gunn, who he persuaded to complete his book The Silver Darlings (1941).
Anson died at the Cistercian community of Sancta Maria Abbey at Nunraw by Garvald, East Lothian, where he is buried.