MNC layman, son of a Durham draper and a close friend of Joseph Rank. With his three brothers he carried on the family business until 1857, when he married the widow of Joseph Love's son and set up on his own. As Love's associate, he managed his collieries near Willington and was his partner in opening new pits, succeeding him on Love's death. A member of the MNC from the time of his marriage, in 1875 he replaced Love as a MNC Guardian Representative, but did not finance church projects on the scale of his former partner. A relationship with Thomas Robinson Ferens is probable, but remains unconfirmed.