Lawson was a graduate of Christ Church, Oxford, and vicar of Ormesby, North Riding of Yorkshire from 1583.
[1][2] Lawson wrote a two-part work, A New Orchard and Garden, Or the best way for Planting, Grafting, and to make any pound good for a Rich Orchard; particularly in the North Parts of England, London, 1618, dedicated to Sir Henry Belasyse.
Another edition appeared in 1622, with a chapter by Simon Harward, on the "Art of Propagating Plants".
[1][3] The Secrets of Angling by John Dennys was annotated by Lawson in its second edition of 1620.
[1] Lawson was twice married: firstly to Sibille (died 1618)—they had two children–and secondly in 1619 to Emme Tailer who survived him.