Ginzkey, son of a Bohemian German professional officer of the Austrian Navy, was in the imperial army until 1897.

At the time of the Austro-Fascism, he was (for the professional group of artists) from 1934 to 1938 Member of the Council of State and after 1938 came to terms with the leaders of National Socialism and even joined the NSDAP.

He was friends with Max Mell and Stefan Zweig, and furthermore with Anton Faistauer and Carl Zuckmayer.

He rests in a grave of honor (German: Ehrengrab) at the Vienna Central Cemetery (Group 32 C, Number 25).

In 1968, Ginzkeyplatz was named in his honour in the Salzburg district of Salzburg-Süd (Alpensiedlung) between Alpenstrasse und Adolf-Schemel-Strasse.