The son of the Rev John Cautley, of Yorkshire. He received a liberal education and was then placed as a pupil with Dr Matterson, of York. After qualifying he was elected House Surgeon to the Halifax Infirmary and held the appointment for two years, after which he started in practice at Hedon. Here his career was successful for upwards of fifty years. Owing to failing health he gradually retired from practice in the last two or three years of his life, and was succeeded by his son. He died at Hedon on August 16th, 1874, about eight months after his son.