 In his early days at Oxford, Rawlinson played cricket for the University, appearing in five matches between 1836 and 1839 which have since been considered to have been first-class.In 1872 he was appointed canon of Canterbury, and after 1888 he was rector of the rich City benefice All Hallows, Lombard Street.In 1873, he was appointed proctor in Convocation for the Chapter of Canterbury.