Naval surgeon and grazier. Entered the Navy in 1806 and was appointed an assistant surgeon in October 1813. In 1820 he was placed in medical charge of the naval department at Trincomalee. In July 1824 he sailed for England as surgeon of the transport princess Charlotte, and in November reached Hobart Town. In 1837 Governor Bourke sent him to England with personal letters to Glenelg, secretary of state for the colonies. In December 1838 he was appointed by Governor Gipps as first health officer in Sydney and received a grant of land in the Cassilis district. Led an expedition into the unsettled Clarence River Valley. Became a magistrate in 1840 and contributed greatly to the early development of the Clarence squatting district. Took an active part in political and government affairs. he was appointed a non official nominee member of the Legislative Council on 13 October 1851, and served on eight more select committees before his resignation in March 1855. After selling his properties on the Clarence and Richmond Rivers he returned to England where he died on 17 July 1866.