He was educated exclusively by his father who was eminent for his accomplishments both as a lawyer and as a linguist, and from whom the son learned to speak English, French, Spanish, and Italian, and received seven years' instruction in law.
In 1837, he began to study law in his father's office, was admitted to the bar in 1843, and practiced in New York City.
In 1870, he was elected on the Democratic ticket to a fourteen-year term on the New York Court of Appeals.
In 1880, he ran for Chief Judge but was defeated by Republican Charles J. Folger.
He died of "Bright's disease and heart trouble" at his home at 17 West Thirty-first Street in New York City.