Born Guilford, England. Came to Victoria when aged about 9, to Brisbane aged about 18. Keen naturalist, started butterfly collecting as a boy in England. Member of Qd Phil Soc., foundation member of the Roy. Soc. Qd and Roy. George Soc. Australasia (Qd Branch). Published numerous taxonomic papers on Lepidoptera 1874-92, including description of Coscinocera hercules and in 1891 the Synonymical Catalogue of Butterflies of Australia. His collection and library were purchased by the Queensland Museum.