Born at Kirby Lonsdale, Westmorland, where his father was engaged in a large medical practice. He belonged to a family many of whom have been distinguished as bishops and clergy of the Church of England. After his apprenticeship he studied in Edinburgh and London, becoming an MRCS in 1806. After starting in practice he was elected at the age of 23 Surgeon to the Liverpool Infirmary in 1810, and held the appointment for forty years, when he was made Consulting Surgeon. His son Edward Robert Bickersteth (q.v.) and his grandson Robert Alexander (q.v.) succeeded him as surgeons to the Royal Infirmary. He was an active member of the Medical Institution, and joined the British Medical Association. He died of inflammation of the lungs at his house in Rodney Street on April 17th, 1857.