George W. Wright was born on February 22, 1839, in Pensacola, Florida, to Benjamin Wright and Josephine de la Rua. His father was a lawyer who owned $5,000 of real estate by 1850. Wright grew up and attended school in Pensacola, Florida. He married Margaret Emma Bagley on April 14, 1860, and they had at least seven children: Josephine, born around 1861; William, born around 1863; Hamilton, born around 1866; Laura, born around 1868; Sallie, born around 1871; Allen, born around 1876; and Mary, born around 1878.
In April 1863, he received a commission as a 2nd lieutenant in Company A of the 6th Alabama Cavalry. The regiment took part in the Atlanta campaign. He was promoted to 1st lieutenant in August 1864.
Wright returned to Pensacola after the war, and he earned a living as a lumber merchant. By 1870, he owned $200 of real estate and $10,000 of personal property. He died in Pensacola on March 3, 1918.