Born Edinburgh. Educated at the High School in Edinburgh, then at Glasgow University. He then proceeded to Balliol at Oxford and in 1833 graduated BA with a first class in classics. He was appointed fellow of  Balliol in 1834. Following a successful fellowship, in July 1842 he was appointed headmaster at Rugby school.

In 1856 he received a letter from Lord Palmerston offering him the bishopric of London. He accepted, and was consecrated at the chapel royal, Whitehall, on 22nd Nov 1856. In November 1868 the then PM, Mr Disraeli wrote offering to nominate him for the primacy. Tait agreed to the proposal and in February 1869 he was enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury.