Ernest Dubois was born in Dieppe and enrolled at the École des Arts Décoratif and the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. Studying under the successful Alexandre Falguière and Henri Chapu, he also studied with Antonin Mercie, who said he was his favourite student. Dubois’ first important commission was for the sculpture on the tomb of the renowned orator Bishop Jacques-Bénigne, placed in the Cathedra at Meaux in Seine et Marne, east of Paris. He exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon from 1892 winning a medal for his sculpture Jeune Adolescent.