Background
He was born at Kelso to farmer James Dodds and Helen Gray.
He was born at Kelso to farmer James Dodds and Helen Gray.
In 1836 he moved to Maitland, where he was an auctioneer, alderman and long-serving mayor. He also held land runs in the Warrego district of Queensland. In 1864 he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for East Maitland.
He served until his defeat in 1872.
In 1885 he was appointed to the New South Wales Legislative Council, where he remained until his death at Willoughby in 1892.