Lewis was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1873 and studied with Jean-Léon Gerome at the Ecole des Beaus Arts in Paris, creating his first etchings in 1895. In 1900 his work, along with fellow Americans Whistler and Pennell, was accepted in the printmaking section of the Paris Salon. He returned to New York in 1902, where he became a member of Alfred Steiglitz's circle. His etchings were exhibited at Steiglitz's Gallery 291 with a show of 43 etchings, drypoints, and bookplates. He was an Associate Member of the Photo-Secession and one of his photographs was included in the 1912 issue of The Camera Work. He also became known for his color woodcuts. In 1915 he won a Gold Medal at the Panama Pacific Exposition in San Francisco. Lewis taught in New York at the Art Students League between 1924 and 1932 with Pennell and from 1932-34 at the New School for Social Research. He died in New Jersey.