He served as a missionary to the Maoris in New Zealand from 1842 to 1852, based at Manawatu[3] and moved to the remote island of Aneityum in the New Hebrides from 1852 until 1876 when he resigned.
[4] Inglis wrote a dictionary of the Aneiteum language, as well as In The New Hebrides: Reminiscences Of Missionary Life And Work, Especially On The Island Of Aneityum, From 1850 Till 1877.
[5] J. Graham Miller describes Inglis as a man of "superior gifts, wise words and judicious pen.
"[6] In 1883 Glasgow University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity (DD).
[citation needed] He died aged 84 at Kirkcowan, Dumfriesshire, close to his birthplace, on 18 July 1891.