Rev. Dr. Thomas Adams was born on September 14, 1847, in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.

He studied at Wesleyan Collegiate Institution (now Queen's College), University College, London, and in 1876, he graduated with an M.A. degree from St. John's College, Cambridge. He became an Assistant Master at the Royal Grammar School, Lancaster (1873-1875) and at St. Peter's School, York (1874-1883). In 1883, he became a Headmaster of Gateshead High School and in 1885, he was appointed 3rd Principal of the University of Bishop's College, Lennoxville, Quebec (1885-1899). He was portrayed as a fine scholar and a forceful personality. In 1886, he helped establish the first University Faculty of Music in Quebec, the second in the entire Dominion of Canada. The same year, he received an honorary degree of D.C.L. from the University. Adams worked strenuously to obtain funds for the rebuilding of the school buildings, partially destroyed by fire in 1891.

In 1878, he married Annie Stanley Barnes (1855–1931). He died on December 24, 1902, in Eardisley, Herefordshire County, England.