Francis Job Short [commonly known as Frank Short, and as Sir Frank Short] was born in Stourbridge, Worcestershire, England on 19 June 1857. He abandoned his training as an engineer in order to pursue a career as an artist and attended the National Art Training School in South Kensington, London and at Westminster School of Art in London. He subsequently worked as a painter and engraver.

He exhibited frequently at the Fine Art Society, Royal Academy and Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers in London. His work was also shown at Connell & Sons Gallery, New English Art Club, Knoedler & Co., Royal Society of British Artists; and Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in London; the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool; the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin; and at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh.

Short was elected a member of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers (RE) in 1885; and the New English Art Club (NEAC) in 1888; an Associate of the Royal Academy (ARA) in 1906; a Royal Academician (RA) in 1911; a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours (RI) in 1917; and an Honorary member of the Royal Miniature Society (HRMS) in 1918. He was President of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers in 1910. The following years Short was knighted for his services to art. In 1891 he was elected a member of the Art Workers Guild and Master of the AWG in 1901. He was also a member of the Society of Mezzotint Engraver

In 1891, Short was appointed Director of Engraving at the Royal College of Art, becoming Professor in 1913, a post he held until 1924.

In 1889 he married Esther Rosamund Barker (1866-1925) and with her settled in Hammersmith, London. His address was given as Ingleside, Claremont Road, Seaford, Sussex in 1939. He died in at The Jointure Cottage, Ditchling, Sussex on 22 April 1945. His address at the time of his death was given as 56 Brook Green, London.