born at villa claremont in lausanne, switzerland, butler was the daughter of thomas james thompson (1812–1881) and his second wife christiana weller (1825–1910). her sister was the noted essayist and poet alice meynell. elizabeth began receiving art instruction in 1862, while growing up in italy. in 1866 she went to south kensington, london, and entered the royal female school of art. she became a roman catholic along with the rest of the family after they moved to florence in 1869. while in florence, under the tutelage of the artist giuseppe bellucci (1827–1882), elizabeth attended the accademia di belle arti. she signed her works as e.b.; elizth. thompson or mimi thompson (she was called "mimi" from her childhood).