Henry Plympton Spaulding was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He dedicated most of his artistic career to capturing the raw beauty of Massachusetts' salt marshes, characterized by haunting half-lights that seamlessly blend over the landscapes. Like many others, Spaulding ventured west in 1892 to paint the landscapes of Santa Barbara, California. He was a member of the Copley Society and the American Federation of Arts. His artwork was exhibited at the Boston Art Club, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Pennsylvania Academy.