[1] Shelley lived in the wealthy area of Blackfriars, London in his early life as a coal merchant until he went bankrupt in 1839, which he moved to the town of Lower Halliford in Shepperton.
[2] Shelley went to India unemployed and became acquainted with Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, the then Secretary of State for War and the Colonies who subsequently provided him with a recommendation letter to the governor of Hong Kong, John Francis Davis for the position of Auditor-General.
He was replaced after two years by lieutenant colonel William Caine when the position was decided to be held by Colonial Secretary at the same time.
[3] Shelley was described in a letter by governor John Francis Davis as "dissipated, in debt, negligent, guilty of falsehood, and quite unfit for the high office".
[6] After he left Hong Kong, Shelly was appointed Assistant Auditor-General of Accounts of Mauritius in 1847.