[1] He was born in Haus (now Osterøy) in Hordaland, Norway to innkeeper Nils Harbitz and his wife Elisabet Christine Ibsen.

His father died when Georg was eight years old, and he was eventually sent to the wealthy family Prahl in Bergen for upbringing.

[2] He became involved in politics and when local government was introduced in Norway, Harbitz served as mayor of Askevold municipality from 1837 to 1839.

[3] In 1847 he applied for the position as garrison priest in Christiania; however, he discovered that he was not looked kindly upon there, and returned to Christians Amt.

[3] During the 1848 term he was President of the Storting, together with Halvor Olaus Christensen, Hans Riddervold and Carl Valentin Falsen.

[2] Having chosen to not stand for parliamentary re-election in 1870, he sought retirement from his vicarship in December 1878, and finally left the position when a replacement was found in April 1879.

Another son Georg Prahl Harbitz, Jr. became a vicar as well, and married the sister of politician Walter Scott Dahl.