He worked as a clerk in the office of Joseph Woods, F.L.S., architect, with whom he shared an interest in botany.
His special interest was Australian flora, and he advised George Bentham, Ferdinand von Mueller and others on this subject.
His published works include "On Jansonia, a new genus of Leguminosae from Western Australia" and "On Acradenia, a new genus of Diosmae" in the Transactions of the society, describing the genera Jansonia (Gastrolobium) and Acradenia.
His important papers include one on the discovery of spiral cells in the seeds of the family Acanthaceae.
[2] Kippist died in Chelsea, London, on 14 January 1882, notices of his life appeared Proceedings of the society.