Higgins was born in Boston, Massachusetts, where he attended the public schools and graduated from Harvard University in 1917.
Returning to civilian life, Higgins was employed as a chemist from 1919 until 1922.
De volta à sociedade, Higgins trabalhou como químico de 1919 à 1922.
De volta à sociedade, Higgins trabalhou como química de 1919 à 1922.