born in birkenhead, cheshire, on 30 july 1851, he was ordained to the priesthood on 25 july 1880. he was appointed the bishop of shrewsbury by the holy see on 1 august 1908. his consecration to the episcopate took place on 21 september 1908, the principal consecrator was cardinal francis bourne, archbishop of westminster, and the principal co-consecrators were francis mostyn, bishop of menevia (later archbishop of cardiff) and richard collins, bishop of hexham and newcastle.