A life-long resident of Sellersville, Pennsylvania, Walter Emerson Baum began his art studies under the direction of William T. Trego and later worked under Thomas Anshutz at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He holds the special distinction of being founder of the Allentown Art Museum in 1932. His works form part of important public collections at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Toledo Art Museum, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the Reading Art Gallery.

Baum's work is represented in: Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Allentown Art Museum of the Lehigh Valley, James A. Michener Art Museum, Woodmere Art Museum, National Academy of Design, Toledo Museum of Art