Harold Knight was born in Nottingham UK. He attended the Nottingham Art School under the tutelage of William Foster. His recognizable talent was rewarded with a silver medal Prince of Wales in 1894 - he was also bestowed with a scholarship to continue his studies at the Academie Julian, the progressive, private studio school for art students. Unlike the Ecole des Beaux Arts, the Academie Julian welcomed women to participate in the same studies as men, including the basis of art training at the time, drawing and painting of nude models, which was considered improper for women.

Together with his wife (and equally esteemed) painter Laura Knight, the couple moved to the Staithes Artist Colony on the Yorkshire coast wher...