Hodgson was born in England in 1838. He arrived in Queensland in 1863 and within a year, he was a partner in a firm trading as Clarke, Hodgson & Co. He entered politics in 1868, winning the seat of West Moreton, holding it till 1870. A year later, Hodgson was appointed to the Queensland Legislative Council but resigned just six months later.[1]
Hodgson left to return to England in 1886 but died at his home Ellenbrooke, on the Isle of Man later that year.[1]