He was the second son of John Alexander Kinglake, MP for Rochester, and his wife Louisa Rebecca Liddon, daughter of John Liddon of Taunton.
He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge.
He was president of Cambridge University Boat Club in 1866.
[2] In 1864 he won the Silver Goblets at Henley Royal Regatta partnering John Richardson Selwyn.
Kinglake later lived at Moushill Manor, Milford, Surrey.