Scarlett was born 11 July 1938 in Biddulph, Staffordshire, England.
He attended Wolstanton Grammar School and the University of Durham, gaining a BSc in physics in 1959. By 1964 Scarlett had earned a PhD from the same institution, having also migrated from Hatfield College to University College for his doctoral studies.
He died 2 September 2004 in Gainesville, Florida, being survived by his wife Joan, son Ian, and daughters Diane and Judy.