The son of Nicholas Littleton, a medical practitioner at Saltash, Cornwall. He was educated at University College, London. He graduated at the University of London with honours in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, medicine, and surgery. After qualifying he was for some time an Assistant Surgeon in the Royal Navy, acting first as Assistant Surgeon at the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth, in 1848, and then serving in the Dardanelles during the Crimean War. On his return he joined his father in practice in Saltash and some years later removed to Plymouth, where in a year's time he was elected a Physician to the Plymouth Public Dispensary, and continued to hold that position till his death. He was greatly interested in his duties and was a successful reformer of the inner working of the institution. He also was actively interested in the establishment and prosperity of the Plymouth Provident Dispensary. He was the first Medical Officer of Plymouth, and, to judge by his reports, as well as the information he afforded the Council, he was a valuable official. During the construction of the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash he occupied the position of Surgeon of the Works, and, the diving-bell being in great use with occasional fatal results to divers, he was able to observe what has since become known as 'caisson disease'. Littleton died of phthisis at his residence, 1 Lansdowne Place, Citadel Road, Plymouth, on Dec 2nd, 1878, leaving a widow but no family. Publications: "Original Observations on the Serious and Fatal Effects of Submarine Descent at the Royal Albert Bridge." - *Brit Med Jour*, 1855, 127. "A New Method for the Separation of Gases from Sewage, Bilge Water, etc., by their Transpiration through Water (Atmolysis) into a Water Vacuum." - *Soc of Arts Jour*, 1855.