Background
He was born in 1814 in the North Back of the Canongate, Edinburgh, where his father was in business as a brewer.
He was born in 1814 in the North Back of the Canongate, Edinburgh, where his father was in business as a brewer.
He was educated at two private schools, and was apprenticed at the age of fourteen.
Foreign five years he was employed by Messrs. Marshall & Aitken, and afterwards by Messrs. Abernethy & Stewart, with whom he remained until he went into business for himself.
His spare time was devoted to study, spoken of by Sir William Hamilton and others in supporting his successful candidature for the keepership of the Advocates Library, Edinburgh, in 1848.
He is buried against the south wall of the main section of Warriston Cemetery, backing onto the former railway.