Born in Scotland, Anderson, a painter and architectural draughtsman, emigrated to Australia in 1851 and there painted views of the Castlemaine district. Later employed as a clerk in a Post Office, he prepared the plans for extensions to Mortimer Lewis's Post Office. In 1856 he travelled to Wellington, New Zealand, in the schooner Ariel and worked in the Provincial Survey Office. He returned to Melbourne in Apr. 1857 but returned to Auckland in July. After working with his brother on a farm, he settled permanently in Auckland from Jan. 1859, working as a clerk and draughtsman.
From the description of Diaries. 1851-1856. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 222196609