Born at York, the son of a much-respected solicitor; he was the pupil of G G Brodie (qv), living in his house for five years, and studying at St George's Hospital, where he became House Surgeon. He was also House Surgeon to the Lock Hospital. Meanwhile he attended Lawrence's lectures on ophthalmic surgery at the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital. He returned to practice in York, in 1834 was appointed Surgeon to the York County Hospital, and in 1842 Lecturer on Surgery in the Medical School. He was subsequently instrumental in establishing a special Ophthalmic Hospital, which gave him a widespread reputation as an Ophthalmic Surgeon. He suffered for some years with a chronic infection, 'osteo-necrosis with purulent secondary deposits', and died on July 27th, 1854, owing to asphyxiation following upon the bursting of an extensive pulmonary abscess. A man of much simple piety, his funeral was attended by the medical men of York, as a spontaneous and grateful tribute of respect to his unblotted memory.