Farrar’s father, a missionary to India, later became the rector at Sideup, Kent, England. Farrar attended King William’s College on the Isle of Man, and King’s College, London. In 1852, he won a scholarship to the University of London, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He then went to Trinity College at Cambridge where he took a number of honors, including the Chancellor’s Prize in English verse. In 1854, he graduated with first class classical honors and took Holy Orders. For a while he served as assistant master at Harrow School. In 1869, he was appointed a Chaplain to Queen Victoria, From 1871-1876, he was headmaster of Marlborough College. He then went on to become a Canon of Westminster Abbey, rector of St. Margaret’s, Westminster, Archdeacon of Westminster, and Dean of Canterbury.

Farrar achieved a high reputation as a writer and preacher. He wrote some volumes of popular fiction, and several important works in philology and theology. His works include: