Born on 26 July 1843, London, the son of the artist, Frederick TAYLER RWS, Norman studied at the RA Schools and in Rome. He began exhibiting in 1863, largely with the OWS (90 works), but also at the RA and others.

He was a Newlyn resident by 1883, and shared a house with Newlyn visitor Harry TUCK, a few doors away from fellow artists John Robertson REID and his sister, Flora MacDonald REID.