The son of a land agent in Shropshire. He became apprentice at an early age to a Mr Taylor, of Middlewick, and after serving his term was assistant to Richard Hughes, the well-known Stafford surgeon, with whom he gained much experience. He then continued his studies at the London Hospital and at St. Bartholomew's, where he was a constant follower and favourite pupil of Abernethy. From 1815-1822 he was House Surgeon to the Salop Infirmary, and in 1822 was elected Surgeon and began private practice, continuing to hold this office till the time of his death. As an operator he was firm, decided, skilful, and humane. He twice successfully performed the operation for ovariotomy by the large incision. One of these cases is on record in the Transactions of the Medico-Chirurgical Society. He was a very successful accoucheur, his maxim being 'Meddlesome midwifery is dangerous'. A local lay paper thus eulogized him-the passage is interesting as showing the high position often held by Fellows in country practice: "He was, in the year 1822, elected Surgeon to the Salop Infirmary by a large majority of the trustees present, and by his attention and skill, during the long period he filled the office, he fully sustained the high character he had previously earned, and by his valuable services greatly tended to preserve to the charity the high professional character it maintains. He was unobtrusive and unostentatious in character-not seeking professional distinction; but the records of the Infirmary and the annals of medicine afford ample proof that he was entitled to high rank as a medical practitioner, and as a skilful operating surgeon. He was remarkable for unremitting perseverance in the discharge of his professional duties, even when frequently from ill health and feebleness of frame he as greatly needed relief as did those to whose sufferings he administered. In the various relations of life -as husband, father, and friend-he was beloved, respected, and esteemed, not less for the kindness and gentleness of his manners than for the high integrity of mind. He gained the confidence and affection of a large circle of friends, both professional and non-professional, who deeply deplore the loss." He was succeeded in his practice by his son, Edward Burd, MD Cantab, who was an examiner for the degree of Master of Surgery at Cambridge, and in due course by his grandson, Edward Lycett Burd. One of his granddaughters married Stephen Paget (qv). His death occurred at his house, Belmont, Shrewsbury, on July 22nd, 1854.