Enrolled as a student in August 1796 under Everard Home. After 1799 he took up surgical posts at the Duke of York Hospital, Chelsea, St. Pancras’ Infirmary, and the National Vaccine Institution. He achieved fame as an anatomical tutor with a private school of anatomy in Dean Street, Soho. His bust by William Behnes was bequeathed to St. George’s Hospital by his daughter Emma Carpue who also left the hospital £6,500. He died in 1846 following an accident on the South-Western railway from which he never recovered.

The first honorary plastic surgeon at St George's Hospital.

He was also a painter, and painted portraits of several of his colleagues at St George's.