Born in London, Lord Minto was educated at Eton College and Trinity College Cambridge. On graduation he was commissioned Lieutenant in the Scots Guard in 1867 and promoted Major in 1882. He was military secretary to the Marquess of Lansdowne during his governor-generalship of Canada from 1883 to 1885, and lived in Canada with his wife, Mary Caroline Grey, sister of Lord Grey Governor General from 1904 to 1911. He served as Chief of Staff to General Middleton in the Riel Rebellion of 1885 and was offered command of the North-West Mounted Police but turned it down in favour of a political career in Britain. On his defeat in the 1886 general election he turned to promoting a volunteer army in Britain. In 1888 he was promoted to Colonel on assuming command of the South of Scotland Brigade. He resigned his commission in 1889.

Lord Minto succeeded to the earldom in 1891 and served as eighth Governor General of Canada from 1898-1904, a period marked by strong nationalism which saw economic growth coupled with massive immigration to Canada. Relations with the United States were strained as border and fishing disputes continued to create problems between the two countries. Like his predecessors, he traveled throughout the young country. His convictions about the importance of preserving Canadian heritage led to the creation of the National Archives of Canada.

Lord and Lady Minto were sports enthusiasts and excelled as skaters, founding the Minto Skating Club in 1903 which produced many famous skaters. They frequently hosted skating parties during their time at Rideau Hall and loved to bicycle and play lacrosse in the summer. In 1901, Lord Minto donated the Minto Cup and appointed trustees to oversee its annual awarding to the champion senior men's lacrosse team of Canada (since 1937 the Cup has been awarded to the junior men's champions). He loved the outdoors, and championed the conservation of natural resources and promoted the creation of national parks.

In education and health, Lord Minto encouraged a forward-looking approach. He believed that Canada's progress depended on the cultivation of patriotism and unity, and this conviction was reflected in his desire to see a wider history curriculum developed in Canadian schools. In response to the health crisis posed by tuberculosis, he helped establish the first anti-tuberculosis foundation in Canada.

Lord Minto also took great interest in the development of the Canadian military and emphasized the need for training and professional development. He was appointed honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the Governor General's Foot Guards Regiment on 1 December 1898 and was subsequently appointed Honorary Colonel, a tradition that has continued with the post of Governors.