The second son of Charles Cornwall, surgeon, of Fairford, Gloucestershire. He received his professional training at Guy's Hospital, and succeeded to his father's general practice at Fairford, where he was Union Medical Officer. In 1855 he was also Resident Surgeon to the Fairford Retreat, and retained the position for some ten years or more. He was in partnership first with William E G Barnes, MRCS, and latterly with Charles Harold Bloxsome. At the close of his life he was President of the Gloucestershire Branch of the British Medical Association, District Surgeon to the Great Western Railway, and a Certifying Factory Surgeon. He died at Keble House, Fairford, on January 7th, 1889.