He was born the son of Richard Gibbons of Chatham, Kent and became a hop merchant.
He was a member of the Metropolitan Board of Works for the City of London (1868–71).
He was elected an Alderman for Castle Baynard ward in 1862 and appointed a Sheriff of London for 1865–66 and 543rd Lord Mayor of London for 1871–72.
[1] Gibbons was created a baronet (of Sittingbourne) in 1872.
He had married Ann, the daughter of William Crookes; the baronetcy became extinct on his death.