He was born in a poor worker's family in England in 1864. Samuel Pollard, who came to China in 1887, was the first westerner that visited the Yi nationality of Liangshan in 1903. After 1904, he founded many parishes in minority areas in Guizhou, Yunnan and Sichuan provinces. In 1915, he suffered flu and died.

What he had done won him the title of Savior of Miao Nationality. It was he who spread democratic thoughts, founded schools, and developed education in China's undeveloped regions. He also advocated developing civilized customs, getting rid of harm from opium, and encouraging almsgiving.