Clarence Edward Victor Buxton was born on the 14 January 1892, the third son of Sir Thomas Fowell Victor Buxton (1865-1919). He was educated at Eton, and Trinity College, Cambridge. During World War I he served in the Royal Field Artillery; he attained the rank of Major and was awarded the Military Cross. Buxton first went to Kenya in April 1912 to the farm which his father had acquired ten years earlier; he returned to Kenya after the War and it was to be his home for the rest of his life.

In 1919 Buxton became Assistant District Commissioner in the East Africa Protectorate (now Kenya). In 1922 he was appointed District Officer, and in 1937 became Acting Provincial Commissioner. In September 1938, Buxton was seconded to Palestine as Acting District Commissioner. He retired from the Colonial Service in March 1940.

Buxton's activities and interests in East Africa, other than his Administrative work, included the Kenya National Farmers' Union and the Capricorn Africa Society. He also served as a Nairobi District Councillor (from 1947) and was appointed Supervisor of Elections in Pemba, Zanzibar, during the General Election of 1961.

Buxton died on the 18 October 1967.