He received a Bachelor of Arts in 1929 and a Master of Arts in 1942. In 1948 he was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly as a Liberal member for Bass. In 1954 he resigned to contest Cornwall in the Legislative Council, winning the seat.
He resigned in 1961, but returned as the member for Launceston in 1966.
He was forced to vacate his seat in 1968. His disqualification was removed by act of parliament, but he was defeated in the by-election.
He published his autobiography, Not to Yield, in 1982.