Li Kwoh-ting was born in Nanjing in 1910. In 1926, he began studies at National Central University in Nanjing, majoring in mathematics. He passed examinations for study abroad in 1933 and was admitted to England's prestigious Cambridge University.
李國鼎於一九一○年出生於南京，一九二六年進入中央大學數學系就讀，一九三三年考取中英庚款留學考試，赴英國劍橋大學深造。