He came of a Midland family of traders in leather, and was educated at St Bartholomew's Hospital. He settled in general practice in Brixton as soon as he had qualified and quickly obtained many patients, specializing more particularly in midwifery. He was early appointed surgeon to the Camberwell Provident Dispensary, was medical officer to the 8th district of the Lambeth Union, to the Linen and Woollen Drapers' Institution, and to several insurance offices. For a time he held a commission as medical officer to the 4th Volunteer Brigade in the Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment. Amongst his patients he formed a friendship with the Rt Hon John Bums, who caused him to be placed upon the Commission of the Peace for the County of London. During the war he acted as demonstrator of practical surgery in the medical school attached to the Westminster Hospital, and having made himself useful in many ways was "mentioned for valuable services". He married before he was qualified and had a family of sons and daughters; one son, a graduate of Cambridge, entered the medical profession. He died on 29 April 1931, having long suffered from paralysis agitans, and his ashes were buried in Norwood cemetery.