1731 - matriculated from Glasgow University. 1740 - went to London to learn midwifery from William Smellie. 1743 - left for Paris with anatomist, James Douglas. 1747 - became a member of the Company of Surgeons. 1749 - became man-midwife to the new British Lying-in Hospital. 1754 - became a member of the Society of London Physicians. 1761 - became midwife to Queen Charlotte. 1767 - was elected a fellow of the Royal Society.

Elder brother of John Hunter (1728-1783), surgeon and anatomist.