George Tate was born in Alnwick and began life as a linen draper; in 1848 he was a postmaster. Tate was active in all the public affairs of Alnwick and published a History of Alnwick (1865-69) as well as works on archaeology, including the sculptured rocks of Northumberland and the ancient British remains at Greaves Ash and Yeavering Bell. His works on natural history included a study of the bulk, hair and eye-colour of Northumbrians and notes on the orange-legged booby.
Tate's account of his journey along the Roman Wall and explanation of its geology was published as part of The Roman Wall by J. Collingwood Bruce in the second edition of 1853. Tate was the first to record the marks of ice action on the rocks of Northumberland. He is buried in Alnwick churchyard.