John William Cunliffe was born at Bolton, England, in 1865. He was educated at the University of London and at Columbia University. He was a lecturer in English at McGill University from 1899 to 1905, and Associate Professor from 1906 to 1907. At Columbia University, Cunlife was a Lecturer in 1907, and Professor of English and Associate Director of the School of Journalism from 1912 to 1920. He published a number of works, many concerning English literature.