Harris emigrated to Newfoundland in 1907. Initially employed the Reid Group of England at their sulphate pulp mill in Bishop's Falls, Newfoundland, he ended his career in the lumber industry as Managing Director of the Anglo-Newfoundland Development Co. Ltd, in Grand Falls, Newfoundland.Stone, Caroline. "A. E. Harris Rediscovered." ArtsAtlantic 16. Spring 1983: 18–19. In 1929, Harris moved to Kent Cottage in Brigus, Newfoundland, that had been rented to American Artist Rockwell Kent during World War I. He named it "Kent Cottage" after Kent County in England. It was here that Harris lived until 1933.
