Richard W. Hatch (1898-1985) grew up in Pennsylvania but lived for most of his adult life in Marshfield, Massachusetts, in a house that had been continuously occupied by his family since the middle of the seventeenth century. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1918, he joined the US Naval Reserve Flying Corps and later served during World War II. It was while stationed on an aircraft carrier that he came up with the idea of writing about the adventures of a very old lobster. From 1925 to 1941 Hatch taught English at Deerfield Academy, eventually becoming head of the English Department, and during the 1950s he lectured at the Center for International Studies at MIT. In addition to his books for children, he also wrote novels for adults set in coastal Massachusetts towns.

Marion Freeman Wakeman (1891-1953) was born in Montclair, New Jersey, and attended Smith College before joining the Art Students League. She was a member of the National Association of Women Artists and exhibited her work at the National Academy of Design, the Montclair Art Museum, and Smith College.