When quite young he emigrated to the United States of America, and ultimately graduated as Bachelor of Science at Harvard University.
[2] After leaving Harvard, Newbery studied at the Royal School of Mines, Jermyn Street, London, and in 1865 was appointed analyst to the Geological Survey of Victoria—an appointment which he held until 1868, when the department was abolished.
Newbery was a member of the Royal Society of Victoria and was Honorary Superintendent of Juries and Awards at the Melbourne International Exhibition (1880).
[1] An improved method of gold extraction using chlorination—developed by Newbery and Claude Vautin in 1890 (the Newbery-Vautin chlorination process)—achieved global adoption, and Newbery was recognized as an authority on gold amalgamation.
[1] Newbery died at home in Hotham Street, East St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria on 1 May 1895.