Corbin was born in Union, Connecticut, the son of William Melvin Corbin, a manufacturer and merchant who served in the Connecticut General Assembly, for one session as a representative and then as a state senator, and his wife, née Josephine Walker.

[1] Corbin matriculated at Yale College, where he was on the freshman, sophomore, and university crews, and was captain of the freshman football team, and was on the university football team three years, and in his senior year as captain.

Other activities included college hour, and financial manager of the Yale Daily News.

[1] The 1888 Yale Football team, of which he was captain, was undefeated, winning thirteen games and tallying 698 points while holding their opponents scoreless.

[2] Former teammate Pudge Heffelfinger explained "Pa Corbin's long face and handlebar mustache gave him a majestic air, and made him look much older than his 24 years.