Henry Barton Dawson was born on June 8, 1821, in Gosberton, Lincolnshire, England.

He was an editor, historian, journalist, and antiquarian bookseller. He immigrated to New York City with his parents in 1834. His interest in literary pursuits was stimulated by his brief employment in a publishing and book-selling house in Ithaca, N.Y. From 1839 to 1856 he pursued a business career in New York City and became involved in social reform movements and politics. His concern with the perils of strong drink led him to a short stint as editor of the pro-temperance The Crystal Font and Rechabite Recorder in 1847. His reputation as a historian began to form in the late 1850s with the publication of several historical essays and of his first book, “Battles of the United States by Sea and Land” (1858). In 1863, he published an edition of The Federalist creating controversy with James A. Hamilton and John Jay. He owned and edited the Historical Magazine from 1866 to 1876. His interest in local history led him to complete his most famous work, "Westchester County, New York during the American Revolution" which appeared in 1886 in J.T. Scharf's “History of Westchester County”.

In 1845, he married Catherine Martling (1821–1897). He died on May 23, 1889, in Westchester, New York.