His father William was a minister in the Irish Protestant Church and rector of St Ann's Dublin at the time of George's birth. William, although having no scientific interests himself, was an intellectual who went on to become Bishop of Cork and later Bishop of Killaloe.
Kanyang ama William ay isang ministro sa Irish Protestante Iglesia at rektor ng St Ann's Dublin sa oras ng George's kapanganakan. William, kahit na hindi pang-agham interes ng kanyang sarili, ay isang intelektwal na nagpunta sa upang maging Bishop ng Cork at mamaya Bishop ng Killaloe.