Arthur Edward Anscombe was born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England in 1862. He was articled to John Robert Brown and Francis Henry Humphreys in Luton, Bedfordshire from 1880 to 1883 and remained as their assistant for a further three months. He then worked as an assistant to Francis Chambers (1828?-1900) and Frank Job Chambers (1855-1937) from 1885. Whilst training with Brown and Humphries he attended classes at the Architectural Association Schools in London and became an AA member in 1883.
Anscombe qualified as an architect in 1890 and was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architect (ARIBA) later that year. He subsequently practised in Harpenden, Hertfordshire and Luton, Bedfordshire. In c.1902 he formed a partnership with architect Benjamin Belgrove Franklin (1869-1937). They had an office at 21 Market Hill, Luton. The partnership appears to have been dissolved by 1914.
Anscombe's address was given as Hazelbank, Harpenden in 1890; and 9 Vaughan Road, Harpenden in 1901 and 1941. He died on 26 April 1941.
Elementary Schools, Harpenden, 1896; Congregational Church, Harpenden, 1897; lecture hall. Harpenden, 1902; mission hall, Harpenden, 1903; Residences, Downs Road, Luton, 1903 and 1905; Children's Homes, Dunstable Road, for Luton Guardians, 1900; additions to "Moreton End " House, Harpenden, 1912; and various residences at Harpenden, 1898-1913
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 1: A-K. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001
'Obituary'. The Builder vol. 160, 9 May 1941, p. 450