A member of the Protestant gentry, he was educated at Charterhouse School, where he first met Addison. After starting at Christ Church, Oxford, he went on to Merton College, Oxford, then joined the Life Guards of the Household Cavalry in order to support King William's wars against France. He was commissioned in 1697, and rose to the rank of captain within two years.
A member of the Protestant gentry he was educated at Charterhouse School where he first met Addison After starting at Christ Church Oxford he went on to Merton College Oxford then joined the Life Guards of the Household Cavalry in order to support King William's wars against France He was commissioned in 1697 and rose to the rank of captain within two years