Born in West Smithfield, he became resident in De Beauvoir Town, entering business as an accountant and estate agent. In 1872 he obtained a commission as an ensign in the 10th Tower Hamlets Rifle Volunteer Corps, rising to the rank of honorary colonel in 1888, and receiving the Volunteer Decoration in 1892. From the 1880s he was a member of the Shoreditch Vestry and in November 1885 was elected by the vestry to be a member of the Metropolitan Board of Works. He died in 1918 and was buried at Abney Park Cemetery.