Lodge matriculated at Balliol College, Oxford, in 1874, graduating with a B.A. in 1877, and becoming a Fellow of Brasenose College in 1878. He was Professor of History at the University of Glasgow from 1894 to 1899, and then Professor of History at the University of Edinburgh from 1899 to 1925.
Lodge's academic journey began when he enrolled at Balliol College, Oxford, in 1874, graduating with a B.A. in 1877 and becoming a Fellow of Brasenose College in 1878. He went on to hold professorships at the University of Glasgow from 1894 to 1899 and the University of Edinburgh from 1899 to 1925.