Born on November 26th, 1801, the son of Samuel Henry Sterry, who practised for fifty years in Bermondsey. He went to Merchant Taylors' School in July, 1811, and was then educated at Guy's and St Thomas's Hospitals. He practised first in partnership with his father, and then with a former pupil of his father's, Richard Sharpe, at 7 Paragon, Southwark. He was for many years Surgeon to the School for Indigent Blind. He retired from practice in 1861, served as Justice of the Peace for Surrey, and succeeded Propert as Treasurer at the Royal Medical College, Epsom, worthily continuing the work of his predecessor and its founder. He is described as a man of high and sterling principles, who faithfully fulfilled the duties of life. He died at Eastbury, Leigham Court Road, Streatham, on February 12th, 1873.