Background
Marsh was the son of a solicitor at Wigan, Lancashire, where he was born on 24 October 1818. On the death of his father, his guardian was his uncle John Fitchett, and Marsh later succeeded to his business as a solicitor.
Marsh was the son of a solicitor at Wigan, Lancashire, where he was born on 24 October 1818. On the death of his father, his guardian was his uncle John Fitchett, and Marsh later succeeded to his business as a solicitor.
He was educated at Warrington grammar school under Thomas Vere Bayne.
On the incorporation of Warrington in 1847 Marsh was appointed town-clerk, and held the office until 1858. He was instrumental in establishing the Warrington School of Art, and the Public Museum and Library. The Warrington Town Library was municipally funded from 1848, the first library in the country to be supported in that fashion by local government, and Marsh is credited with the innovation.
Marsh was also one of the major benefactors of the Museum at its foundation, with William Beamont, James Kendrick and William Robson.
Marsh moved in 1873 to Hardwick House, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, and planned a history of the castles of the county. He died, unmarried, on 24 June 1880.