Tom Cross was born in Manchester. His art training was at the Slade School followed by two years travelling and painting in France and Italy.

His first administrative post was with the Welsh Arts Council, before lecturing in painting alongside his own work at Reading University. In 1976 he became Principal of the Falmouth School of Art (now College, and part of the University College Falmouth). Writing and lecturing continued in his eventual retirement (1987), and his books, emanating as they do from his considerable artistic ability and academic knowledge, form a trilogy recounting the history of the Newlyn and St Ives Schools of Art. He continued to write and lecture, as well as paint in his own studio until his death in 2008. 

His bibliography is impressive, and includes the now standard works on the histories of the Newlyn and St Ives schools of art, which he treated together, though recognising their distinctive differences. The special strengths of his writings are in presenting the views and critical opinions of a professional artist, together with a recognition of the ebb and flow of styles through time. His widow and long-time manager of his studio, Pat CROSS (who died in 2022) was a talented artist-craftworker in her own right (1988 Craft Work South West exhibition).

Both he and Pat contributed significantly and fully to the unique flavours of Cornish arts and interests in a variety of ways. Cross also contributed entries on many artists to the Dictionary of National Biography (DNB). 

In 2023 Tom Cross's son David and daughter-in-law Carol took over Tom's estate, including his extensive art collection. This can be accessed at: https://tomcross-painter.com.