 Created a baronet in 1906, he was ennobled as Baron Cawley in 1918.Cawley was born at Priestlands, Bunbury, Cheshire, the son of Thomas Cawley (1806–1875) by Harriet Bird, daughter of Samuel Bird, of Beeston Hall, Cheshire.He was educated at Aldersey School, Bunbury, and at Wesley College, Sheffield.