Born at Darlington, and was educated at Trinity College and the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, and Westminster Hospital. Upon the foundation of Charing Cross Hospital he joined the staff as Lecturer on Anatomy, in which post he had among his pupils Dr Livingstone, Professor Thomas H Huxley, Sir Joseph Fayrer, and Sir Guyer Hunter. He was appointed Assistant Surgeon to the hospital in 1855, and for fifteen years was Surgeon to the Out-patient Department. He became full Surgeon in 1870 and Consulting Surgeon in 1881. He had been in the later period Dean of the Medical School, and on his retirement was presented by the Governors and Medical Staff with a service of plate and an album on vellum. At the Medical Society of London he was twice Orator, in 1848 and 1850, Lettsomian Lecturer in 1855, and President of the Society in 1857. He was also President of the Westminster Medical Society. He was a warm supporter of Propert in the founding of the Royal Medical Benevolent College at Epsom, and was a Member of the Council for more than thirty years. He succeeded his friend and colleague, Henry Hancock (qv), as Treasurer in 1870, and held office until 1887. He was of commanding presence, handsome features, and conciliatory manners. He retired from practice in 1887, and went to live at Brighton, where he died in 1888, at 11 Palmeira Mansions, and was buried at Kensal Green. He left one son, a clergyman, and three daughters.