Educated at Edinburgh and at University College, London, where he was in close relation with Liston, whose House Surgeon he was. His hospital career was distinguished, as he obtained several gold and other medals, including the Fellowes Gold Medal of University College in 1838-1889, and was also Resident Medical Officer. He spent some years in London practice and was among the promoters of the Great Northern Hospital, in the success of which he took much interest. He also held the appointment of Surgeon to the Victoria Rifles until his death. For a time he went out to Brazil, and at Rio had medical charge of some 4000 workmen engaged on improvements in that city. During the last four years of his life he practised at Newark-on-Trent. He died on April 7th, 1873, after a long and painful illness, and was buried in Newark Cemetery.