Born in Glenfarg, Perthshire, he moved to Forest Gate in 1880 where he established a business as a grocer and provision merchant. In 1892 he was elected to West Ham Borough Council and became an alderman in 1901. He was described as a Unionist or Conservative. He served as Mayor of West Ham for 1902-03. He remained an alderman until his death from heart failure at the age of 60. He was buried at the City of London Cemetery. Present at the opening of the Passmore Edwards Public Library, Plaistow [1].