The son of James Cates by his wife Susan, daughter of John Rose, he was born at 38 Alfred Street, Bedford Square, London.
Cates's executed works were not numerous; but in 1870 he succeeded Sir James Pennethorne as architect to the land revenues of the crown under the Commissioners of Woods and Forests.
When in 1894 the tribunal of appeal under the London Building Act was appointed, he was elected the first chairman, and was re-elected in 1900 for a further term of five years.
[1] Cates died at his residence, 12 York Terrace, Regent's Park, on 15 May 1901, and was buried at Woking.
[1] As surveyor to the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, Cates designed in 1887 the archway and gatehouse leading from Tudor Street to King's Bench Walk.