Born in Liverpool on February 28th, 1817, the son of Peter Woods, solicitor, of Liverpool. He studied at St George's and Charing Cross Hospitals, and at the latter was a pupil of John Howship, Surgeon to the Hospital, who is still remembered by 'Howship's lacunae' in bone. In 1840 he settled in practice at Liverpool, was elected Medical Officer of the Fever Hospital, where in the course of duty he was infected both by cholera and by typhus. His brother-in-law, Philip F Curry, being Coroner, Woods was much engaged in making post-mortem examinations. In 1853 he removed to Southport, where he built up a large practice and was Surgeon to the Southport Convalescent Hospital. At one time he was President of the Lancashire and Cheshire Branch of the British Medical Association, and until his death a Member of the Council. He was interested in freemasonry and was twice WM of his Lodge; at one time he was President of the Union Club. He retired from practice in 1882, being succeeded by his son, and died after a long illness at 1 Church Street, Southport, on April 15th, 1889. He was a widower and left two sons.