Short was originally worked as a civil engineer before retraining as an artist at the Royal College of Art and Westminster Schools of Art in London. He specialised in engraving, later teaching at the Royal College of Art until his retirement. His main interest became etching and mezzotint printing and, encouraged by John Ruskin he worked up new editions of JMW Turner’s ‘Liber Studiorum’ series using this method. He was greatly influenced too by James McNeil Whistler who assisted with his technique.

Short regularly exhibited his work at the Royal Academy of Art and the Royal Institute of Painter Etchers & Engravers.