strickland was born in westminster while the family estate was at hildenley hall near malton, north yorkshire. he was educated at edinburgh academy and trinity college, cambridge. he was the eldest son of sir charles strickland, 8th baronet (1819–1909), the only child of his first marriage to georgina, daughter of sir william milner, 4th baronet, but never formally used the title he inherited upon his father's death.