MB Glasgow 1867; LRCS Edin 1867.
Born in Glasgow on 22 November 1840, Finlayson was educated at the University of Glasgow. He was house surgeon at Glasgow Lying-in Hospital and Glasgow Lock Hospital before being appointed house surgeon at the Manchester Clinical Hospital and Dispensary for Children. Finalyson returned to Glasgow in 1871 and later became physician to Glasgow Western Infirmary and lecturer in clinical medicine. Finlayson was a prolific writer on a range of medical subjects and was a significant figure in Glasgow medicine. Finlayson was president of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. He died in Glasgow on 9 October 1906.