Having gone up to London to be inoculated against smallpox, he found himself working for a wine merchant who left him the business on his death.
As a member of the Draper's Company he became London councilman in 1800 and in 1807 was raised to the honour of Aldermen, a rank he held until his death.
He was President of St Thomas' Hospital from 1818 to his death.
In 1812 he was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for St Albans, holding the seat until 1818.
After being defeated in the election of that year, he was re-elected to the seat in 1820, sitting until 1830.