Archibald was educated in Glasgow, qualifying M.B., C.M. in 1886. After graduating he made one or two voyages to the East as ship surgeon. He settled in the north-western district of Glasgow, where he built an extensive practice, and was for some time anaesthetist of the Glasgow Dental Hospital. He took a great interest in the Insurance Act, and endeavoured to make its work satisfactory from the medical perspective. He was unanimously elected chairman of the Glasgow Panel Committee, and an active and energetic member of the British Medical Association. He took a commission as Captain in the Home Hospital Reserve on 16th August 1914, and was appointed to the military hospital at the garrison, Maryhill. He continued working both in his civil and military duties until he was stricken down about five months before his death by illness. He was buried with military honours. He was the son of Archibald and Elizabeth McTavish Campbell; and the husband of Jane Greig Campbell of 46 Kersland Street, Hillhead, Glasgow.