He was born in London, the only child of the member of parliament Russell Manners.
He served on Malabar, Spartan, and Pyramus before gaining his lieutenancy on Tyne.
From this time forward he devoted much of his attention to scientific interests.
He was also wed in 1834 when he married Louisa Jane, the daughter of the Count de Noé of France, and sister of the artist Amédée de Noé.
He also served intermittently as society president, and was elected to that position in 1868.