Harris completed his matriculation from Merton College and graduated in arts from Christ Church, Oxford in 1832.

Harris also mooted the idea of importing indentured labourers from India to replace the plantation slaves who had been freed following the abolition of slavery.

Harris is considered to be one of Trinidad's best administrators though he has also been criticized for favouring his own men in appointments.

On 1 July 1856, Harris flagged off the first regular passenger train service in the province between the city of Madras and the town of Arcot.

He criticized them as: disloyal in tone, un-English in spirit, and wanting in every principleWhen the Indian Rebellion of 1857 broke out, the province of Madras remained loyal to the British Crown.

As a result, Harris lent the whole Madras Army to the Government of India for quelling the rebellion.