Marcus Clayton Stone was the son of Frank Stone ARA. Marcus was trained by his father and began to exhibit at the Royal Academy before he was eighteen. A few years later he illustrated, with much success, books by Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope and other writers who were friends of his family.

Stone was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1877, and Academician in 1887. In his earlier pictures he dealt with historical incidents but in his later work he occupied himself chiefly with a particular type of dainty sentiment, treated with much charm, refinement and executive skill.

One of his canvases is in the Tate. Most of his works have been engraved, and medals were awarded to him at exhibitions in all parts of the world.

Stone and fellow painter Luke Fildes both lived in Melbury Road, Holland Park, in houses designed by Richard Norman Shaw. A blue plaque commemorates Stone at his house at 8 Melbury Road. In 1871 Stone married Laura Mary H Brown, the daughter of the New Zealand merchant William Brown.