Morehead was born in Edinburgh to Margaret (daughter of Charles Wilson, Professor of Church History at the University of St. Andrews) and Rev.

The first batch of students graduated in 1851 and included Atmaram Pandurang, J.C. Lisboa, Sebastian de Carvalho, Anunta Chandroba, Bhau Daji, Paul C. Gomes, Merwanji Sorabji, and Burjorji Dorabji.

He retired in 1862 due to ill-health and although offered a professorship at the Netley Hospital, he declined it and returned to his native city of Edinburgh.

In 1866 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh his proposer was John Hutton Balfour.

[8] He was returned to Edinburgh for burial in Dean Cemetery where his[9] grave lies in the south-west spur.