Harry Leith-Ross was raised by his grandparents in Scotland. His grand uncle was the Dutch artist Mesdag. He studied engineering in England, worked in New Mexico in mining in his uncle's coal business, and then worked in Denver for an engraving house in advertizing and commercial art. He then moved to New York City and studied at the National Academy School (1910) and at the Art Students League in New York City ( ) and in Woodstock where he studied with Turner, Birge Harrison and Carlson. He shared a studio with John Folinsebee at the home of Birge Harrison in Woodstock. He also studied at the Academie Delecluse and the Academie Julian under Laurens and was a pupil of Stanhope Forbes, RA in Newlyn, England. In 1925 he married Emily Slaymaker. In 1935 he settled in New Hope. He taught courses in landscape painting in Woodstock, Rockport, Gloucester and New Hope. He was represented by Grand Central Art Galleries and the Petite Galerie. He published The Landscape Painter's Manual in 1956.
