He was born in Panxworth, Norfolk in 1859 and came to Norwich aged eleven to train under Mr J H Tench who became an Inspector of Schools.
He started his teaching career at the King Edward VI Middle School, of which ultimately he became house master.
Famous alumni include the actor John Mills who joined the school in the winter of 1920.
However, after fighting back against his bully, new systems were put in place and he quotes the Headmaster as saying "I suppose one could say that the school owes you a vote of thanks".
He was not so successful in the classroom leading his father to give him the ultimatum to improve or he would remove him from the school.