Born Woodside, Donside; died July 14. Attended evening classes under James Giles in Aberdeen, also taught by his uncle the Peterhead artist John Mitchell. After an apprenticeship at a local lithographoc company (Keith and Gibb) where George Reid also worked, went to London to study at the Slade under Legros. Returning to Aberdeen he painted many scenes around the city and Aberdeenshire, including Balmoral, under the patronage of Queen Victoria. Gave lessons in painting to the Royal Family. His landscapes are highly coloured with dominant blues and purples in the hills and with vivid greens and yellows in the foreground, subtly fused and never garish. His talent as a colourist overcomes weak draughtsmanship. Also lithographed sketches for John Stewart's 'The Sculptured Stones of Scotland', 2 vols 1856-57, illustrated 'Under Lochnagar' 1894, edited by the Balmoral factor of the time, Dr RA Profeit. His landscapes of Aberdeenshire are highly prized especially in the area in which he lived. Also painted in the Mearns which some regard as his best work. Most of his exhibits were of local scenes. In 1875 he painted an interior of Culter Castle and its Chapel which was subsequently purchased by the owner and in 1883 showed a portrait of his mother. Livd latterly at 10 Gladstone Place, Queen's Cross, Aberdeen.
Exhibited Royal Academy (5), Glasgow Institute (2) and very frequently at both the Royal Scottish Academy (34) 1865-1900 and the Aberdeen Artists Society 1885-1926. Represented in Aberdeen AG and many private collections.