[2] He was born in St Quivox in Ayrshire on 2 March 1853 the son of James Oliver and his wife, Margaret McMurtrie.

He was educated at Ayr Academy then studied medicine at Glasgow University graduating MB ChM in 1874.

He undertook some practical experience at Glasgow Royal Infirmary then went to Paris to undertake further postgraduate studies.

In 1892 he became a member of the White Lead Commission and was instrumental in banning females from being employed in its production.

His proposers were Sir James Alexander Russell, John Gray McKendrick, Diarmid Noel Paton and George Alexander Gibson, He was knighted by King Edward VII in 1908.