His parents were farmers, and young Melvin had to help out with the daily chores besides going to school, first in Clarkson, then in Oakville, Ontario.

In 1900, he married Clara Williams, a Methodist minister's daughter; together, they had a son, Harold James (b.

After his return to Toronto, he worked in various editorial positions at the Globe until his death in the autumn of 1934.

As arts editor of the Globe, he wrote on, promoted, and came to know many Canadian artists and writers of his time.

Over the years, he acquired a reputation as a skilled portrait photographer, and through his memberships in the Toronto Camera Club and the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto also had the opportunity to photograph many famous artists of his time.