[2] The Lorimer family was intimately associated with colonial service; his maternal uncle (who served as a judge) was killed during the Indian mutiny of 1857.

Educated at the High School of Dundee, and the University of Edinburgh, Lorimer trained at Christ Church, Oxford for the Indian Civil Service.

[1][4] On the 8 February 1914, while serving as the British Political Resident in Bushire, Lorimer was found dead from a self-inflicted gun wound in the abdomen at age 43.

A contemporary report stated that he was examining his pistol after supposedly emptying the magazine when he apparently overlooked a bullet present.

In an offer of commiseration, the ruler of Bahrain, Isa ibn Ali Al Khalifa, ordered the flags at his residence and at the customs house lowered, while his son Abdullah traveled to the Agency to pay his respects.