Born at the Federation Navy Testing Facility at Algogille XIII, where his father was stationed at the time, Edwin is the older of two sons born to Janice Childers (nee Courtright), a researcher in Infomorph Psychology for the University of Caille, and Edwin Childers, a career Naval officer until his retirement and an investigator for the Gallente Supreme Court in his second career.

Following the completion of his undergraduate and graduate studies in literature and philosophy at the University of Caille, Edwin taught at his alma mater for three years until he was offered a senior analyst position with the Federal Intelligence Office. After 12 years with the FIO, Edwin chose to embark on a course of study at the Federal Navy Academy at Duripaint VII with the intention of becoming a Naval officer as his father had; however, life events changed Edwin's course.