Addison Mizner was born in 1872 in Benicia, California, one of seven siblings. After numerous documented adventures in his early adult life, some disputed by biographers and historians, he later lived in New York City, and provided humorous illustrations to works by Ethel Watts Mumford.

His lasting fame came when he moved to Palm Beach, Florida, at the age of 46, and became the definitive architect of the city, despite no formal training. He also developed Boca Raton into a luxurious resort community, using a similar approach to Spanish Revival architecture.

A long-time socialite and bon viveur, he died at the age of 60, in February 1933.