George Sidney Hatton was an accountant who worked for a number of public bodies in London. Born in Ilford, he was the son of George Hatton, a "gentleman", and was educated by a private tutor. He entered employment as a clerk with the London Gas Light Company. In 1837 he became a junior clerk for the Westminster Commission of Sewers, and in 1848 transferred to the Metropolitan Commission of Sewers when the Westminster body was amalgamated into it. In the following year he was promoted to Clerk of Accounts. When the commission was replaced by the Metropolitan Board of Works in 1856 Hatton was appointed Accountant to the Board, holding the post until 1864.