Leaver was born at the School House in Austwick, West Riding of Yorkshire where his father Peter was a teacher.

He won a National Scholarship to the Royal College of Art at age 16, receiving his full associateship at 21.

This was followed early the following year with a second travelling scholarship this time awarded by RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects), the Owen Jones Studentship, which took him back to Italy and from there to North Africa (February - August 1912).

[2][3] Primarily a watercolourist, he was known for hot blue skies, often in contrast with shadowed buildings drawn from experience gained during his travels in Europe and North Africa.

Sixty-one Noel Leaver watercolours were left to Towneley Hall by the late Dr Peter Bracewell.