He did not attend Oxford or Cambridge University, but "spent some time in Oxon in the condition of an Hospes, for the sake of the public Library and Scholastic Company", as his cousin Richard Lower, a physician, informed Anthony Wood.
[2] Lower was a lieutenant in Sir Jacob Ashley's regiment in the King's army, and was promoted captain, but lost his company, which proved mutinous and deserted.
Leaving Cologne after a short residence, he seems to have held some post in the household of the Princess Royal of Orange at the Hague, and occupied his time in translating French plays.
[2] In June 1660 Lower wrote to Edward Nicholas, Secretary of State to Charles II, from the Hague, asking for a place in the King's service.
[2] Thomas Seccombe, in the Dictionary of National Biography, wrote, "Though there are a few good lines in The Phoenix, most of Lower's verse is very commonplace, and his translations, without being even laborious, are dull."