Harry Dixon was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England on 21 June 1861 and was the son of the photographer Henry Dixon (1820-1893). He attended Heatherley's School of Fine Art in London in c.1880; Regent Street Polytechnic in London; and the Académie Julian in Paris, from 1883 to 1887. He subsequently worked as a painter and sculptor. He was also an illustrator. He exhibited at the New English Art Club, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Archer Gallery, International Society of Sculptors, Painters & Gravers, New Gallery, Royal Society of British Artists, and Royal Institute of Oil Painter in London; the Walker Art Gallery in London; the Royal Scottish Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture in Edinburgh; the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts; and at Manchester City Art Gallery.