Walter Green Penty was born in Gate Fulford [now Fulford] on the outskirts of York, Yorkshire, England on 19 June 1852 and was a pupil of George Stysan, City Engineer of York from 1867 to 1871. He was principal draughtsman with W. Thomlinson Walker, Artistic Iron Founder & Smith of York from 1871 to 1873. During this period the firm allowed Penty to do some independent work
He commenced independent practice as an architect in York in 1873. From 1897 he was in partnership with his son Arthur Joseph Penty (1875-1937) in the York-based architectural firm W.G. & A.J. Penty. Walter Green Penty was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1889. He died in York, Yorkshire on 23 January 1902.
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