She was born in Westfield, Vermont,[4] the third of four children of Benjamin P. Spalding and Ann Folsom.

She was hired as a teacher of English and modern languages,[6] but would also serve as the Dean of women at the college and as its librarian.

She would work at the Harvard University Library and The British Museum[3] before returning to Pomona College, where she became Professor of English in 1904.

[3] In 1911, Pomona President Blaisdell established the Phebe Estelle Spalding Professorship of English Literature in her honor, making her the first to chair the position.

[3] During her career she authored 13 books and novellas, as well as articles published in professional journals and some poems.