Born at Wakefield, Yorkshire. Studied at the Wakefield School of Art in 1912-14, Leeds College of Art in 1914-15 and 1919-20 - studies interrupted by the Great War. In 1920-25 studied at Royal College of Art. First solo exhibition at the London Artists' Association in 1928, year later Pitchforth exhbited with LG. Began exhibiting with RA in 1941 and was elected RA in 1953. His work is in the Tate Gallery, Victoria & Albert Museum and in many provincial galleries and abroad.
A number of earlier paintings by R.V.Pitchforth can be seen at http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/artists/roland-vivian-pitchforth" class ="link1">BBC Your Paintings.