MB BCh BAO Belfast 1906, MD 1909.
Leighton received his medical education at Queen's College Belfast and in Dublin. He held junior appointments at Bedford County Hospital, Belfast Corporation Fever Hospital and Richmond Hospital Dublin. Leighton settled in Chorley where he was honorary medical officer to Rawcliffe Hospital and honorary secretary of Chorley Medical Society. Leighton was also honorary assistant surgeon at St John's Hospital Manchester. Leighton died in a car accident on 8 September 1925.