Howard S. Richards was born in Philadelphia, the son of Alexander T. and Faniah (Peterson) Richards. He graduated from Central High School and received a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, entering there in 1883 and graduating from the Towne Scientific School in 1887. For a number of years he was associated with the architectural and engineering firm of Wilson Bros. & Co.; and when Joseph Wilson died in 1902, he, along with Henry Wilson and John McArthur Harris, continued the firm under the name of Wilson, Harris & Richards. Henry Wilson withdrew from the firm in 1910, and the name changed to Harris & Richards, continuing until Richards's retirement in 1935.

Richards was a member of the AIA and served as an instructor in building construction at Drexel Institute beginning in 1893.

Written by Sandra L. Tatman.