Eric T Leaper was born in London in 1921. After a year at art college he was called up to serve in the Army in 1939. After the War and further college, he moved to Dorset to set up his first pottery. In 1954 he moved to Newlyn to establish the Leaper pottery.

His work is noted for the extensive use of bright, bold coloured glazes which contrasted with the more subtle glazes used by other prominent potters of the period such as Bernard Leach.

Eric died in 2002.