Atkinson began his education at St Andrew's College, Bendigo, and travelled to Britain to complete it at Rugby School and Dover College.
He matriculated and studied medicine at the University of Melbourne but did not complete the course.
He helped to manage pastoral stations owned by his father, Harry Leigh Atkinson, a medical practitioner.
After his father's death Atkinson inherited substantial property in the Bendigo area and soon devoted himself to a life of literature.
He also visited the Continent and the United States before returning to Australia, where he lived in Melbourne.