Joint founder along with Charles Garnett (1843-1921) of Flatters & Garnett Ltd suppliers of microscopical equipment and preparations for educational use.

He came to Manchester at an early age and had a succession of jobs and had an interest in natural history. In 1886 he attended a course of lectures on zoology given by Professor Milnes Marshall of Owens college. It was as a result of Marshalls suggestion that he join the the manchester Microscopical Society, which he did in 1886.

His working life began at a biological station at St Helier, Jersey. He worked there for several years before returning to Manchester in 1895 and set up his own business making lantern slides, microscopic slides and microscopic preparations. He also became a lecturer in microscopy at the Municipal School of Technology.

In 1901 Charles Garnett joined the business.