1842-1902, once declared that he "loved nature, and after nature, art". It was said that he was more interested in painting nature to evoke to its true form, rather than to "prettify" it. He was apprenticed as sign-writer in the Row 45 workshop where he developed his sense of colour and learned a great deal about mixing and applying paints. In his spare time he completed his education by reading, visiting exhibitions and studying the methods of Cotman and Crome. In 1859 he joined the Yarmouth Artillery Volunteers and later the Rifle Volunteers.
In 1870 a discarded box of watercolours was bestowed upon him and his artistic ambition was revived and he soon embarked on a professional career. He moved to London after the death of 1st wife in 1877, hoping to perfect his painting and gain advice on the sale of his works. After barley a year, he returned. Harrison hated London and had probably destroyed most of the work he had done there. He shunned the capital and the major London galleries. After turning 50 he fell to deafness, rheumatism and depression. Due to a poor business sense and the burden of 13 children he was forced to churn out hundreds of small pictures for quick sale. He died a few years later at the age of 60.