Background
Walters was the eldest son of John Walters, a clergyman and lexicographer, and he was born on 11 June 1760 in Llandough, Glamorgan, south Wales.
Walters was the eldest son of John Walters, a clergyman and lexicographer, and he was born on 11 June 1760 in Llandough, Glamorgan, south Wales.
He was educated at Cowbridge Grammar School and Jesus College, Oxford, matriculating in 1777 obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1781.
During his time in Oxford, he was sub-librarian at the Bodleian Library. He became headmaster of Cowbridge Grammar School in 1783 and headmaster of Ruthin School in the following year, when he also obtained his Master of Arts degree. He was later rector of Efenechtyd, Denbighshire.