Robert Harris (1849-1919) was born in Wales, but moved to PEI as a youth with his family in the 1850s. Later, he studied art in Boston, London's Slade School of Art, in Paris under Léon Bonnat, and in Rome. He traveled extensively, finally settling in Montreal. Harris is perhaps best known for his portrait of the Fathers of Confederation that was commissioned to paint in 1883. He was a founding member of the Royal Canadian Academy (RCA) and elected president of the RCA in 1893. An important collection of his works is housed at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown. Harris was married, but had no children. He was the brother of the PEI architect William Critchlow Harris.

Phillips Manufacturing Company was formed in 1905. It principally produced picture frames. Later, the company name was changed to Phillips Toronto Limited, and was located on Carlaw Avenue. The company was sold in the 1930s.