Born in Paterson, New Jersey, Acorn received his BA in fine arts at Montclair State College, New Jersey. His interest in sculpture was sparked by Paul Harris and continued as he pursued an MFA at Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. In 1961 he became assistant professor at Clemson University, S.C., and became chairman of the department in 1976, a position he held until his retirement in 1998. Awards include a Fulbright Scholarship, a Silver Medal from Tau Sigma Delta and an Art-in-Architecture from the American Institute of Architects. In 1998 he was honored with the Elizabeth O'Neill Verner Award from the South Carolina Arts Commission.