Son of J Magee Finny, King's Professor of Medicine at Trinity College, Dublin and President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, he was born in Dublin on 9 July 1886 and educated at Shrewsbury and Trinity College, Dublin, graduating in 1910. In 1911 he joined the RAMC, and served in India, South Persia, Malta and other places throughout the 1914-1918 war. He obtained the FRCS in 1921. Finny was appointed OBE in 1927 and promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in 1934. Shortly after the outbreak of the second world war he became Assistant Director of Medical Services of the 3rd Division with the temporary rank of Brigadier. After acting as Deputy Director of Medical Services with the Third Corps he became Deputy Director of Medical Services, Northern Command in 1941. He was an honorary surgeon to King George VI, 1940-42. Finny retired at the end of 1941, but was recalled for duty with the rank of Colonel for the remainder of the war. He finally retired in 1946 with the rank of Major-General. He married in 1928 Doris, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel J Manners Smith of the Indian Army; they had two daughters. Major-General Finny died suddenly at King's Ride, Camberley, Surrey on 20 June 1955 at the age of 68.