He was educated at Mill Hill School and Queen's University, Ireland where he received his BA (1876) and MA (1882).

[1][2][3] Lewis joined the Ceylon Civil Service in 1877, and then served in various revenue and judicial appointments.

[3] Lewis served as Acting Government Agent of the Northern Province (1903–1906) and Superintendent of Pearl Fisheries (1904–1906).

He was a Justice of the Peace, and also served as a member of both the Executive and Legislative Council of Ceylon.

[3][1][4] Lewis is best known for his academic work on the history of Ceylon, having been described as a man: "not greatly interested in administration.