He began his career as a printer and stationer at 87 High Street, Worcester, and in 1828 he published, under the pseudonym of Ambrose Florence.
a guide to the city and cathedral, which contained a catalogue of the plants in the vicinity.
He also contributed lists to Loudon's Magazine and to Sir C. Hastings's Natural History of Worcestershire.
On 12 January 1829, he founded the Worcester Literary and Scientific Institute, of which he was joint secretary.
He gave up business early in life, and devoted all his energies to local botany.