Born in London on the 12th July 1870 and specialised in watercolour, depicting the English landscape, cottages and gardens. He was the son of Henry Stannard, R.A. (1844-1920) and Grandson of John Stannard (1794-1882), the whole families works are highly regarded and collected. He was educated in Bedford and studied Art at South Kensington where he won his Art Teachers Diploma at the age of 16.
Before his marriage, Stannard resided at Harpur Place, Bedford but in 1894 he moved to Flitwick. He became very well known in the area and did a great deal of charity work. He was a member of many Art Societies and was elected to the Royal Society of British Artists in 1896, and he was also the founder of the Harpers Art Society, Bedford in 1895, and the inventor of the Sylvester Stannard Straining-Board for Watercolour Paper.