Lathrop was born in Hawley, Massachusetts. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in Iowa City in 1847. He worked as a newspaper journalist in Chicago, Des Moines and Iowa City and published in the areas of history and horticulture, contributing many articles to the Annals of Iowa and The Iowa Historical Record. His most significant historical work was The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, published in 1893. He was a member of the Iowa Horticultural Society, first treasurer of the State University of Iowa, and curator of the State Historical Society of Iowa. His horticultural interests were cattle breeding and growing fruit.
From the description of Henry W. Lathrop papers, 1856-1892, bulk 1856-1857. (State Historical Society of Iowa, Library). WorldCat record id: 476200736
