Walter Baldwin Spencer was an Australian archaeologist, the second Director of the National Museum of Victoria, and the foundation Professor of Biology at the University of Melbourne.This portrait, painted by George Lambert, was started in London in 1917 and completed in Melbourne in 1921.A non-commissioned portrait, painted 'for the mere fun of the thing', Lambert planned to offer it to the National Gallery of Victoria. Baldwin Spencer purchased for his own collection, after informing Lambert that the director of the gallery was planning to reject its acquisition.