Frank Matcham was born in Newton Abbot , Devonshire in 1854, the son of a well to do Brewery Manager. After receiving a good education at Babacombe, Frank was offered an apprenticeship to Mr. George.S. Bridgeman, a local architect, being a keen student he developed quickly and discovered his love and subsequent talent for theatre architecture. The young Frank then went to work in the practice of Jethro T. Robinson who was Consulting Theatre Architect to the Lord Chamberlain.

In 1877 aged 23 Frank married Jethro T Robinson ‘s daughter Maria, the marrage was overshadowed by the unexpected death of Jethro , however it did open the way for Frank at the age of 24 to take over one of the most prestigious architectural practices in London.

The years between 1870 & 1880 proved to be very productive for Frank and his practice , elevating him to the position of the most fashionable and sought after theatre architect in the country. The name Matcham stood for elegance, spectacle, comfort and above all a sense of glamour and occasion for the theatre going public.

At the age of 55 Frank went into semi-retirement and in May 1920 he died of heart failure.