He was the second son of Charles Powell Leslie and his second wife, the former Christiana Fosbery (died 1869). Among his siblings was Christiana, the Marchioness of Waterford.[2] He was educated at Harrow and Christ Church, Oxford. He obtained a commission as a Captain in the 1st Life Guards. However, after embarking on a Grand Tour in 1847 he resigned his Army commission and pursued artistic interests.[1]