Born Aberdeen. Painter in oils and watercolour, etcher and stained-glass artist. After serving a six years apprenticeship as a draughtsman with the lithographer Robert Gibb he studied at Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen and at the Royal College of Art under Gerald Moira, as well as in Florence. He became Head of Gray's School of Art in 1911-1914 before devoting himself full-time to the practice of art. Awarded the silver medal at the Pari Salon in 1923 for his portrait of Harry Townend, previously exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1921 and shown yet again at the French Artists' Salon of 1929. Lived for a time in London before returning to Aberdeenshire. Although his earlier work showed the great influence of Moira's decorative technique he gradually developed his own distinctive style. He produced more than 100 etchings, eight of which are identified in Guichard's 'British Etchers'. After the death of his wife he settled in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire. 
Elected ARSA 1923, ARE 1924, RSA 1935, RI 1944. Exhibited regularly at the RA (25), RSA (127), RI (8), RE (19), RSW (2), GI (49) and AAS 1898-1959. Represented in Aberdeen AG, Dundee AG, Perth AG and Leith Hall (NTS).