He entered Guy's Hospital in 1824. He was appointed demonstrator of anatomy in 1828, assistant-surgeon in 1845 and surgeon inside 1849. Around 1867 he was president of the Royal College of Surgeons, of which he became member in 1827 and fellow in 1843, and he likewise delivered a Hunterian oration inside 1867. When Arris & Gale prof (1859-1862) he delivered a course of lectures in "Rest and Pain," which use turn into classics. He was besides surgeon-extraordinary to Queen Victoria.

Hilton was a greatest anatomist of his period, & was nick-known as "Anatomical John." It was he world health organization, by having Joseph Towne the artist, enriched Guy's Hospital by having its unique collection of system. Around his grasp of the structure & functions of the brain and spinal cord he was far in advance of his coeval.

As an operator he was additional cautious than brilliant. This was beyond any doubt due partially to his sleep in the pre-anaesthetics period, and partially to his have consummate anatomical cognition, equally is indicated per method for opening deep abscesses which is known by his title. However he can be bold whenever necessary; he was the number 1 to reduce a example of obturator hernia by abdominal section, and one of a number one to practise lumbar colostomy. He died at Clapham on September 14, 1878.