Studied at the Cecilia Street School of Medicine, and at Trinity College, Dublin, where he was prizeman in anatomy, chemistry, and the practice of medicine. He then acted as House Surgeon to the Kidderminster Dispensary and settled in practice in Rotherham, at Market Square and Chilton Lodge. He was Surgeon to the Dispensary, Medical Officer to the District Workhouse, Certifying Factory Surgeon, Medical Referee to several Assurance Societies, and also Surgeon to the Rotherham Hospital. He was a member of a number of medical societies, travelled towards the end of his life, and died on July 16th, 1895. Latterly his son, William Wright Hardwicke, joined him in partnership and succeeded to the practice.