He graduated 1926 at Va. Episcopal School at Lynchburg; received his B.S. in chemistry at Va. Military Institute in 1929; studied medicine four years at University of Va.; and received his M.D. there in 1933. He then interned at St. Luke's Hospital, New York City, and at Baltimore City Hospitals, and in 1936 at the University of Va. Hospital.
Descendent of Robert Richardson who in the early 17th Century settled on the Synapuxent Bay, Worcester Co., MD.