Barrow was born in Wolfskin District, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, on October 18, 1852.

Regular enrollment had almost quadrupled (from 408 in his inaugural year to 1,592 at the end of his tenure) because of Barrow's efforts and the admission of female students.

Upon his resignation, Barrow was elected as a Chancellor Emeritus for life by the Georgia Board of Regents.

In 1907, at the request of Booker T. Washington, Barrow served on the board of the Jeanes Fund for the improvement of rural education for African Americans.

Barrow's vote thus led to the retention of black firemen at equal pay with whites.

Funeral services were held in the Chapel on UGA's north campus, and he was buried in Oconee Hill Cemetery in Athens.