Hislop was born in Brisbane, Queensland, the son of William Hislop and his wife Alice (née Toyne) and educated in Brisbane. He was a well-known furniture manufacturer and after he was finished in politics worked as a welfare officer with the Queensland Apprenticeships Committee.[1]
On 21 December 1909, he married Daisy Elizabeth Davidge[1] (died 1953).[2] Hislop died in May 1948[1] and was cremated at the Mt Thompson Crematorium.[3]