Richard Henry Albert Willis [also known as Richard H. A. Willis] was born in Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland on 5 July 1853 and moved as a child to Cork where he was apprenticed to the architect Arthur Hill (1846-1921) in c.1869. He also attended Cork School of Art during his spare time. He subsequently gained a scholarship to attend the National Art Training School in South Kensington, London where he excelled, being awarded several medals and prizes and a travelling scholarship. In 1882 he was appointed Headmaster of Manchester School of Art, a post he held until 1892 when he left in order to devote more time to his art. He returned to London and where he established a studio. Willis exhibited at the Royal Academy in London from 1882 to 1899.