William Davenport Griffen was born October 5, 1894 in Millbrook, NY. Griffen studied at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts; Art Institute of Chicago; Oberteuffer; J.W. Norton.

His work was exhibited at the Carnegie Institute, 1929, 1930, 1933; Corcoran Gallery of Art, 1933; Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 1930, 1932; Art Institute of Chicago, 1927, 1928, 1929 (prize), 1930 (prize), 1931-34; Whitney Museum of American Art, 1932; Davenport Municipal A Gal, 1946 (one-man); Chicago Gal Assn, 1930 (prize), 1931 (prize); Chicago SA, 1931 (medal); Chicago A Exhibit, 1928; Chicago Women's C, 1929 (prize). Work: Art Institute of Chicago, murals, USPOs, Flora, Carmi, IL. WPA muralist. (47) WWW/85

Griffen died in April 1986 in San Rafael, CA.