Born Blenheim. Self-taught and influenced by Frances Hodgkins. Artist of Nelson. Son of artist Walter Henry Marple. Housemaster at Wellington College, 1944-1945. In December 1944 he came under Vice-Regal patronage because of his original typoglyphs. Taught art at several colleges in Nelson. Art reviewer for the Christchurch Star in the 1950s and 1960s. On selection committee of Nelson Suter Art Society. In 1962, he became sole selector for the Marlborough Art Society. Sales of paintings paid for art study in London & Paris, 1951. Resident in Edward Street, Tahunanui, Nelson, in 1963, when he donated two watercolours to the Alexander Turnbull Library. Married Helene Hoette in 1966. Died in Nelson. (Source of information mostly from self-supplied typed labels on back of a watercolour in the Library's collection)