E G Hill was born at Haverstock Hill, London, the daughter of Frederick Hill, an Inspector of Prisons, and his wife Martha Cowper Hill. Her father later became the General Secretary of the General Post Office, which allowed for a comfortable living for the family. Ellen remained a spinster of independent means, and died 30 March 1928 at Grove Cottage, Frognal, London.

She exhibited Newlyn titles at the West Cornwall Art Union's National Art Library exhibition in September 1877, indicating early visits to Cornwall.