A descendant of early Roxbury settler James Draper, he was born and raised in West Dedham, Massachusetts (later named Westwood), and graduated from Phillips Academy and Amherst College.

Through frugality and industry, he and his wife, Irene (a graduate of Abbot Academy in Andover) amassed a considerable estate, and having no children they made sizable philanthropic contributions, and offered academic prizes and scholarships to aspiring students.

[1] He then entered the Andover Theological Seminary to become a minister, but failing eyesight compelled him to leave the school.

[2] In 1854 he became the proprietor of this business, and for nearly 40 years he was the leading publisher, printer and book seller in Andover.

[4] After disposing of his business, Draper continued to devote himself to publishing works for the use of theological students and clergymen.

[7] His younger brother, Daniel Fisher Draper, was a dentist, and had a grandson, Warren Fales Draper, named in honor of the subject, who became the Deputy Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service and served on General Dwight Eisenhower's staff in Europe during World War II.