Glasgow painter in oil, also watercolour; domestic scenes and genre. Born near Glasgow into a poor family with artistic inclinations, his father being an amateur artist and a friend of James Docharty. Apprenticed to a pattern designer in Glasgow School of Art under Robert Greenlees. During the 1860s he exhibited at the Glasgow Institute and in 1872 embarked on a sketching holiday with James Docharty, working on Islay and Jura. Dutch influence can be seen in his work, especially that of Joseph Israels. He used members of his family as models and was particularly fond of portraying grandparents and their children sewing and engaged in similar activities in the home and in open farmsteads, often with poultry in the foreground. The influence of Wilkie can occasionally be seen. At his best he was a very good artist, and was for several years President of the Glasgow Art Club. Lived for many years ar Rosevale, Helensburgh.
Elected RSW 1883. Exhibited RA, RSA, RSW, GI and AAS. Represented in Glasgow AG and Paisley AG.