[2] He was educated at King's College, Aberdeen, from where he graduated with a Master of Arts] in 1827.

He was ordained deacon in 1827 and priest in 1829 by Bishop David Low of Ross and Argyle.

[3] In 1832 he was appointed rector of Holy Trinity Church in Ayr, a post he retained during his episcopacy, till his death[4] [5] He also became Dean of Glasgow and Galloway in 1845.

In 1859, he was elected Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway, and remained so till his death in Ayr in 1888.

[6][7])[8] He was consecrated in St Paul's Church in Edinburgh, by the Primus Charles Terrot, on April 26, 1859.