The artist was a son of an architect and lived in Liverpool until 1912, moving thereafter to London.  He was a member of the London Group and friend of Augustus Edwin JOHN. His wife was Enid, who also exhibited her work from their address in Cheshire; she died c1911 (J&G). From 1912 Hay moved to Chelsea.

According to Tovey, Hay claimed that his student time spent with Julius OLSSON at St Ives was among the most valuable of his lessons. As yet, it is not clear when this was or for how long he was in Cornwall.