Complex sentence: Stanley studied and practiced architecture in Edinburgh prior to emigrating to Brisbane in 1861-2, where he joined the Lands Department in 1863, becoming chief clerk of works under the Colonial Architect Charles Tiffin.
Split into simpler sentences: Stanley studied and practised architecture in Edinburgh, prior to emigrating to Brisbane in 1861-2. There, he joined the Lands Department in 1863 and became the chief clerk of works, under the Colonial Architect Charles Tiffin.