 In 1835 he went to St. Peter's College, Cambridge where he obtained an MA in Arts and Science.He went to train as a priest in the Church of England serving as assistant curate in Christ Church, Hoxton, and was noted as a preacher.In 1851 converted to Catholicism and in 1852 he moved to Ireland after an offer to join to staff of All Hallows College in Dublin where he lectured as Professor of Natural Science, he also served as treasurer and joined the board of directors.