Alfred Wyatt Papworth was born in Bloomsbury, London, England on 12 November 1879 and was articled to Arthur Cates (1829-1901), Surveyor to H. M. Woods & Forests, in 1897-98. He also attended the Royal Academy Schools in London from 1900 to 1903. He then worked as an assistant to Harold Arthur Woodington (1867?-1916) in London from 1898; to Arthur Henry Reid (1856-1922) in Cape Town, South Africa from 1902 to 1904; and to George De Lelande (1872-1914) in Yokohama and Kobe, Japan for two years. He qualified as an architect in 1900 and was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) in 1901. He was awarded the R.I.B.A. Silver Medal and £5 for Measured Drawings of St. John's Church, Westminster. He commenced independent practice in London in 1907 and was in partnership with Gilbert Henry Lovegrove (1876-1951) as Lovegrove & Papworth from that year.
Papworth died at or near Arras in France on 2 April 1917 whilst serving in the Army during World War One.
In conjunction with partner. Gilbert H. Lovegrove: Mary Curzon Hostel for Women; Clarendon Restaurant, Hammersmith ; 31, Brook Street; large number of factories, public-houses, and business premises in London, and various country residences
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 2: L-Z. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001