Heinrich Rudolf Hertz was born in Hamburg to a prosperous Jewish family that had converted to Christianity. His father, Gustav Ferdinand Hertz, was a lawyer and later a senator, while his mother, Anna Elisabeth Pfefferkorn, came from a family with a history of academic and scientific interests. This background provided a stable and intellectually stimulating environment for his early development.

Hertz demonstrated exceptional intellectual abilities from a young age. He excelled in school, displaying a particular aptitude for mathematics, science, and languages. He also showed an interest in practical skills, engaging in activities like woodworking and metalworking, hinting at his future interest in experimental physics.

After completing his secondary education, Hertz briefly served in the military. Initially, he contemplated a career in engineering and began studying at the Technical University in Dresden. However, his growing interest in fundamental physics led him to shift his focus.

Hertz transferred to the University of Munich to further pursue his scientific interests. He attended lectures by renowned physicists and mathematicians, immersing himself in the intellectual atmosphere of the university.

Hertz moved to the University of Berlin, where he studied under the tutelage of Hermann von Helmholtz. Helmholtz recognized Hertz's exceptional talent and encouraged him to pursue research in electromagnetism. He received his Ph.D. in 1880 with honors, based on a dissertation focused on the induction of electricity in rotating spheres.