He was educated at Northallerton, and in 1823 removed to the University of Edinburgh, where he obtained a surgeon's diploma.

In the following year, at the invitation of the poor-law commissioners, he wrote a `Report upon the prevalence of Disease arising from Contagion, Malaria, and certain other Physical Causes amongst the Labouring Classes in Manchester.'

At a later period he again wrote on the same subject in J. Adshead's pamphlet on the state of the working classes in Manchester.

He had an extensive connection with the scientific societies of the town, where he was warmly esteemed as a lecturer, practitioner, and philanthropist.

He died at his father's house at York on 9 April 1848, after a painful illness, and was buried in the neighbouring cemetery.