He was born in Athens but came from Fanari in Constantinople and was the son of Gregory Kabouroglou, the founder of the National Scene, and the scholar Marianna Sotirianos – Gerontas, daughter of Angelos Gerontas. He studied law at the University of Athens and in 1877 was awarded a doctorate.

Initially he worked as a lawyer and then became involved in historical research and historiography, with which he eventually became involved. In 1881 he founded his own newspaper, which he called ‘Nea Εφηmeris’, while in 1882 he was one of the founding members of the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece. In the period 1884-1886 he was director of the magazine ‘Ebedmas’.

In 1891 he was employed at the Archaeological Service and the following year he was appointed curator of the manuscripts of the National Library. In the period 1904-1917 he served as director of the National Library. In 1923 he was awarded by the state with the Order of Letters. In 1927 he became the first elected member of the Academy of Athens and in the period 1934-1935 he served as president of the Academy. He wrote the great work “The History of the City of Athens” and many other works on the history of Athens. On April 19, 1939, his bust was unveiled in the Philomousosos Society Square in Plaka.

A member of the Atticus Astir Lodge since 1901, he rose to the 33rd rank and in 1912 became an active member of the High Council.