Born at Salisbury in 1812, the son of William Henry Coates (qv). He was educated at St Bartholomew's Hospital, and was for a time teacher of anatomy and midwifery at the École Pratique de Médecine in Paris. He succeeded his father as Surgeon to the Salisbury Infirmary in 1847, a post which he resigned in February, 1885. As Surgeon to the Infirmary he developed great keenness of diagnosis and became a bold and rapid operator. His powers meeting with recognition, he enjoyed for many years a large consulting practice in the districts around Salisbury. He practised at 17 Endless Street, Salisbury, and besides being Surgeon to the infirmary, was Medical Visitor to the Laverstock and Fisherton Lunatic Asylums. He was a Fellow of the Medical Society of London. His health failed for some two years before his death, which took place on March 26th, 1885. He left three sons in the profession, and a fourth studying for it in Edinburgh. He was succeeded in his practice by his two sons, Dr F W Coates, Physician to the Infirmary, and Mr Harcourt Coates, elected Surgeon to the same institution. Publications: *Practical Observations on the Nature and Treatment of Talipes or Club-foot, particularly of Talipes Varus*, 8vo, 8 plates, London, 1840. *On Chloroform and its Safe Administration*, 8vo, London, 1858. "Supposed Elephantiasis of Arm." - *Trans. Pathol. Soc. Lond.*, 1863-4, xv, 237. "An Operation for Removal of Internal Piles." - *Brit. Med. Jour.*, 1881, ii, 350, 390. (Presidential Address in the Section of Surgery, British Medical Association Meeting at Ryde, 1881.) "Removal of Tongue and One-third of Lower Jaw." - *Ibid.*, 1883, ii, 767.