Lured from New York by the Gold Rush, William Lewis Marple settled in California hoping to make his fortune. Even so, it was with painting, not mining, that he ultimately realized his dreams of financial success. A largely self-taught artist known for his landscapes, in 1866 Marple opened a studio in San Francisco and was a key founder of the San Francisco Art Association.

Marple’s impact extended beyond California, however - he traveled extensively throughout the United States and parts of Europe, making connections and sometimes founding or joining local arts organizations. Marple died in Aspen, Colorado, in 1910.