Educated at Guy's Hospital. He first practised at East Grinstead, Sussex, but before 1855 he had removed to Eastbourne, where he continued throughout his life. He was appointed Medical Officer to the 1st District of the Eastbourne Union, and Admiralty Surgeon and Agent to the Eastbourne Division of Coastguard. A well-known and prominent citizen of Eastbourne, he was first President of the Eastbourne Medical Society, a Director of the Local Gas Company, and was interested in many public and philanthropic undertakings. He died at Eastbourne on March 19th, 1904. His son Henry Colgate succeeded him in practice.