[2] He spent most of his early life in Burnley, attending the Carlton Road School there.

Ashworth was encouraged to train, and went to Manchester to study chemistry at Owen's College.

He obtained a post in Naples in Italy where his interests began to focus upon marine biology.

When Ewart retired in 1927 Ashworth succeeded him taking over the overarching chair of Professor of Natural History.

The National Portrait Gallery in London hold a print (1931) of Ashworth taken by Walter Stoneman.