Ford was born in London. He graduated with distinction from Cambridge, studied art at the Slade being one of the many to be influenced by Alphonse Legros. He became known for illustrating legend and folklore, particularly the Andrew Lang fairy tales, convincingly combining imaginative fantasy with the everyday.

Whether sombre, sinister or humorous, and although influenced by the Pre-Raphelites and Walter Crane, as were many of his contemporaries, Ford always draws his subjects with immence skill and great originality.