He was born in Westmoreland in 1720 to parents were named Huck, and educated at the grammar school of Croughland, Cumberland.
After a five years' apprenticeship with a surgeon at Penrith named Neal, he entered as a student at St Thomas's Hospital, London.
[1] He was present at the Battle of Culloden,[2] and served until the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle of 1748 ended the War of Austrian Succession.
[1] Huck next went to America under John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun, by whom he was promoted to the rank of physician to the army.
[1] In poor health, Huck made a continental tour, journeying through France, Germany, and Italy.
[4] At this period he corresponded with Sir John Pringle, who later commented on Huck's treatment of fever, preliminary to administration of Chinchona bark, as recorded by Donald Monro.
[11] Huck was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1768; and of the College of Surgeons, de speciali gratia (by grace or favour), in 1784.