He was the son of Wilhelmina Storrie (1836–1903) and Thomas Johnston (1822–1899) of Corstorphine House in western
Edinburgh. He studied medicine as a mature student at the
University of Edinburgh beginning in 1897. He graduated with an
MB ChB. From 1902 to 1907 he acted as the zoologist on
John Murray and
Laurence Pullar's Bathymetrical Survey of the Scottish Fresh-Water Lochs. He died at
Humbie in
East Lothian on 6 October 1923 but is buried with his parents in
Corstorphine Parish Churchyard in western Edinburgh. ==Family==