Walker was born on 5 February 1822 in Marefair, Northampton, and his parents sent him to an academy in the Horse Market at the age of six, where he remained till 10: the headmaster was James Harris.
T. P. Healey, proprietor of the Medical Times, took Walker on as reporter; he wrote also for Eliza Cook's Journal.
On the death of William Weir in 1858 he was appointed to the editorship, becoming known as a supported of Italian nationalism, and by his confidence in the ultimate victory of the Union in the American Civil War; under the influence of Harriet Martineau he became a staunch advocate of the cause of the North.
[1] Walker resigned the editorship in 1869 to accept the charge of the London Gazette; and retired on 31 July 1889, when the office of editor was suppressed there.
Frederick Greenwood wrote in the Pall Mall Gazette of his "great political candour".