Percival Baxter graduated from Portland High School and earned a degree from Bowdoin College with honors before obtaining a law degree from Harvard University. He spent several years in the private sector before transitioning to public service. Baxter played a pivotal role in the establishment of Baxter State Park, donating significant land and advocating for its preservation. He also contributed to the creation of the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf. Baxter's leadership and dedication to environmental conservation and public welfare are evident in his lifelong commitment to these causes.

Percival Baxter's political identity is marked by a unique blend of environmental stewardship and regional economic development. He championed the creation of Baxter State Park, intertwining conservation with tourism, while simultaneously opposing the Ku Klux Klan, which he viewed as a divisive force. His dedication to preserving natural spaces for public use and wildlife contrasts with his resistance to federalizing the park, showcasing a localized approach to environmental governance. Baxter's personal land donations and financial bequests to maintain the park reflect an enduring commitment to his ideological vision, revealing a deeply personal and calculated strategy in his political endeavors.