Samuel Walters was a member of the Liverpool School of Marine Art, created on the back of the port city becoming the second largest trading port in Britain. In November 1831, he joined the Royal Institution containing the Liverpool Academy Schools, having the previous year exhibited his first work entitled Dutch Boats in a Fresh Breeze. This was to be the first of 99 paintings shown at the Academy over the next 35 years, and, in 1837, he was made an Associate. He was a great admirer of William John Huggins, marine painter to William IV, and was influenced enormously by him.
Walters exhibited his first two paintings at London’s Royal Academy in 1844. However, his stay in London was short lived, and, in 1847, he returned to Liverpool, where he continued to enjoy as much success as when he had left. He had a considerable influence on other members of the Liverpool School of Marine artists, including Duncan McFarlane, Francis Hustwick, William G. Yorke, and his son William H. Yorke.
Walters is represented in almost every major maritime museum or collection worldwide.