He studied for a short time under the engraver Anthony Walker, and applied himself to book illustrations with success.
He attracted the notice of John Boydell and was employed to make an engraving after David Teniers.
In 1761 he was awarded a premium from the Society of Arts; about nine years later he entered the Royal Academy, where he exhibited for the first time in 1770.
He engraved some large plates including, 'The Volunteers of Ireland' after Francis Wheatley, published in 1784.
(1797); Sir Joseph Banks (1789); Qian Long, emperor of China (1796); Thomas Newton, Bishop of Bristol; Mary Palmer (1785); [3] [4] William Whitehead (1787); Paul Whitehead (1776); and Sir William Young.