born in sheffield on 27 august 1827, he was ordained to the priesthood on 19 december 1857. he was appointed an auxiliary bishop of diocese of shrewsbury and titular bishop of "corycus" on 30 may 1879. his consecration to the episcopate took place on 27 july 1879, the principal consecrator was cardinal henry edward manning, archbishop of westminster, and the principal co-consecrators were herbert vaughan, bishop of salford, and edward gilpin bagshawe, bishop of nottingham. nearly three years later, he was appointed the bishop of shrewsbury on 25 april 1882.