[5] He was educated at Bedford Modern School and matriculated at University College London where he achieved a gold medal in Structural and Physiological Botany.
[1][6][7] He became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1858, and subsequently studied medicine and graduated MB (first division) in 1859,[7][8] and MD in 1861.
[1][9][10][11] After graduating, Adams served as a surgeon for The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company.
[1][12] In terms of his medical service in Bedford it was commented that:[1] His position as surgeon to the Bedford Provident Dispensary brought him into contact with a larger number of the humbler classes, by whom he was greatly belovedIn the field of botany, he gave informal tuition to William Hillhouse, Edward Mann Langley and Joseph Reynolds Green, which helped all three to obtain scholarships to Trinity College, Cambridge.
His unobtrusive and kindly manners, combined with a wide knowledge of many departments of science, procured him many sincere friends.