Disinherited by his father after sowing wild oats at Newmarket and elsewhere, he emigrated to New South Wales where he made a fortune in gold-mining. On his return to England he became reconciled with his father and married Hester Bolton. Former mining associates attempted to blackmail him by alleging an earlier marriage in New South Wales. Unable to confute their story, he was tried and sentenced for bigamy. Soon after the trial one of the conspirators turned against her confederates, and when it was proved that the evidence against him was forged, he was pardoned.

Hero of John Caldigate.