Career
Notwithstanding his arduous duties as a solicitor, he devoted a large portion of his time both to scientific pursuits and to benevolent and social enterprises. He exerted himself with great energy to extend the advantages of the General Hospital, in behalf of which he was one of the chief promoters of the Birmingham musical festivals. From the first he took a special interest in the inventions of James Watt and Matthew Boulton.
And it was chiefly owing to his exertions that an act was obtained for that "gigantic absurdity," as it was called, "the Birmingham railway".
He died 6 December 1845. His statue in marble is in the General Hospital.