In 1847 he began writing and publishing songs, the first being dedicated to the Countess of Falmouth and entitled "Heave one sigh for me at parting".
On 11 February 1855 he matriculated from Magdalen Hall, Oxford, and on the 15th of the same month took the degree of bachelor in music.
Four pieces from this oratorio were printed 1864–6, and the author was busy preparing the complete work for the press at the time of his death.
He was an unwearied student of music, but devoted himself more to the theory than to the practice of his art.
In 1857 he became organist and choir-master to St. John's Episcopal Church at Perth.