[5][6] Born in London, in 1835, the son of William Kingdon[2] (a surgeon) and brother to James Durant Kingdon (1830–1899, a priest and headmaster), he was educated at St Paul's School, London and admitted a pensioner at Trinity College, Cambridge on 30 November 1853 (aged 19) and matriculated at Michaelmas 1854.

He gained his Bachelor of Arts (BA) in 1858, proceeded Cambridge Master of Arts (MA Cantab) in 1861 and was eventually awarded a Doctor of Divinity (DD) in 1881, around the time of his episcopal ordination.

From 1864 to 1869 he was Vice Principal of Salisbury Theological College and then curate (probably incumbent) of St Andrew's, Wells Street, Marylebone.

[9][1] When Medley died in 1892, Kingdon automatically succeeded as second diocesan Bishop of Fredericton,[2] in which post he remained til his death.

He was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law (Hon DCL) by Trinity College, Toronto in 1893,[7] and lived, as diocesan bishop, at Bottreaux House, Fredericton.