Businessman. Educated at Christ's Hospital in London. At age fourteen became a midshipman in a sailing ship to New Zealand. Joined New Zealand branch of Bank of Australasia in 1880, later entered the produce business handling frozen meat; returned to England in 1893; arrived in Sydney in 1898 as Australian chairman of Birt and Company Limited, merchants and shipowners, which position he retained until 1929; also chairman of Australasian management committee of Federated and Shires Lines, and Australian director of Federated Steam Navigation Company Limited of London; director of Bellambi Coal Company Limited and British Australian Cotton Association Limited (1926); during 1914 until 1918 was a war deputy controller of overseas shipping, member of Commonwealth Shipping Board and chairman of Overseas Central Committee which allocated tonnage; chairman of Overseas Shipping Representatives Association of Australia and of United Kingdoms Australian Frozen Meat Shipping Committee; president of Rejected Volunteers Association of New South Wales, New Zealand Soldiers' Reception Society of Sydney, and New South Wales Justices' Association; member of executive of New South Wales Red Cross and New South Wales Soldiers' Amelioration committee; vice president of Millions Club in 1918; fellow of Royal Geographical Society of New South Wales.