Leeds was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 30, 1855.
He graduated from Harvard University where, in addition to completing his Bachelor of Arts studies in 1877, he played baseball.
Leeds was born into a wealthy family and was a life-long sportsman, being adroit at both sailing and golf.

It was no accident that he played so well at Myopia Hunt Club—he designed the course himself in 1894 and worked there for 30 years.
And he would go on to build several other layouts in his career as a golf course architect.
He also designed the private Bass Rocks Golf Club in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and the Kebo Valley Club in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Also appearing on his dossier is the Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, South Carolina, completed in 1895.
 He was a member of the USGA executive committee in 1905.
Leeds was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 30, 1855. He graduated from Harvard University where, in addition to completing his Bachelor of Arts studies in 1877, he played baseball. Leeds was born into a wealthy family and was a life-long sportsman, being adroit at both sailing and golf.
It was no accident that he played so well at Myopia Hunt Club—he designed the course himself in 1894 and worked there for 30 years. And he would go on to build several other layouts in his career as a golf course architect. He also designed the private Bass Rocks Golf Club in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and the Kebo Valley Club in Bar Harbor, Maine. Also appearing on his dossier is the Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, South Carolina, completed in 1895.  He was a member of the USGA executive committee in 1905.
Herbert Leeds