BA Camb 1859, MA 1864, MB MC 1864.
Godson was born in London on 9 October 1836 and was educated at Trinity College Cambridge, being a fellow of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. He was a demonstrator of anatomy at the Royal Manchester School of Medicine and physician's assistant at MRI. In 1865 Godson went into private practice in Cheadle where he lived until his death. His practice was very successful but he also held public medical appointments, as medical officer for the Cheadle District and medical officer of health for Cheadle. Godson was very active in the BMA, both locally and nationally, and was elected to the Council a number of times. Godson was president of the Stockport Medical Society and vice-president for two years of Manchester Medical Society . Godson died on 26 October 1913. His son, John Herbert Godson, succeeded him in his practice.