He was born in Stratford, Essex, on 19 April 1840 to Edward John Morgan and Mary Anne Parland.
In 1879, he translated From Kulja across the Tien Shan (TianShan) to Lobnor by Przevalsky, now edited by Sir Thomas Douglas Forsyth.
During his years with the Hakluyt Society, he collaborated with C. H. Hoote in editing Early Voyages and Travels to Russia and Persia, by Anthony Jenkinson and other Englishmen.
As well as travelling and translating, Morgan was a fellow of Royal Geographical Society for 40 years and served on its council, contributed to its Journal.
He was also the honorary treasurer for the Ninth International Congress of Orientalists in 1892 in London (under Max Muller’s presidency) and edited its transactions in 1893.