The eldest son of John Porter, of Sheffield; educated at University College, Sheffield, and in Paris. At Sheffield he was a pupil of Henry Thomas. He settled in practice there and in 1848 became Thomas's partner, but the partnership was dissolved in about two years' time owing to the retirement of Thomas, and he was afterwards in partnership with Dr Ferguson Branson. For many years Porter was one of the Surgeons to the Sheffield Public Hospital and Dispensary, and was elected Hon Surgeon for life on his retirement from that office. He was also Surgeon to the Midland Railway Company. He practised latterly at Ashmount, Sheffield, and died on February 2nd, 1874, at Bromhill. By his marriage in 1848 with Sarah, daughter of William Smith, barrister-at-law and JP, he had two daughters and a son.