He was born in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, the son of Robert Healde of Norwich.
After attending Repton School he was admitted in 1742 as a sub-sizar at Trinity College, Cambridge, and was awarded M.B.
[1] He started up in practice at Witham, Essex, was admitted a candidate of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) in 1759, and elected a fellow in 1760.
He was appointed physician to the London Hospital on 20 June 1770, and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society the following day.
His widow worked as a midwife and the RCP voted the family £100 relief.