As a young man, Lyndhurst Falkiner Giblin studied mathematics at Kings College, Cambridge, where he also indulged his passion for rugby and cricket. Returning to Hobart in 1906, he served in World War I, rising to the rank of Major. Following World War I, Giblin was appointed as Australia's Government Statistician. In this role he made an in-depth study of Australia's economy and emphasised the importance of explaining economic matters to the Australian people in plain terms. In 1929 Giblin was made Ritchie Professor of Economics at the University of Melbourne.