Lionel Bailey Buden was born in West Derby, Liverpool, Lancashire, England on 9 March 1887 and from 1905 to 1909 studied at Liverpool University School of Architecture where he was awarded a B.Arch. in 1905. In 1909 he won a travelling scholarship enabling him to continue his studies at the British School in Athens and in 1910 was awarded an M.A. by Liverpool University In 1923 Buden received the RIBA Essay Medal.
Budden commenced practice as an architect in Liverpool in 1911. He qualified as an architect in 1913 and was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) later that year.
During the 1930s he was in partnership with James Ernest Marshall (1881-1969) as Marshall & Checkley.
Budden taught at Liverpool University from 1911 and in 1924 was made an Associate Professor. In 1933 he succeeded Charles Herbert Reilly (1874-1948) as Roscoe Professor of Architecture in 1933. He retired in 1952.
Budden wrote extensively on the history of architecture and in 1932 edited The Book of the Liverpool School of Architecture, published to celebrate Professor Sir Charles H. Reilly 25th year as Head of the University of Liverpool School of Architecture.
Buden was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1929. He was also a member of the Liverpool Architectural Society. He died in Liverpool on 21 July 1956
A major extension to Liverpool University's Students’ Union, with with James Ernest Marshall (1881-1969), in association Charles Herbert Reilly; war memorials in Birkenhead and Liverpool; Liverpool Veterinary Hospital; and the Henry Cocker Memorial Tower in Stanley Park, Blackpool,
Armstrong, Barrie and Armstrong, Wendy. The Arts and Crafts movement in the North West of England: a handbook. Wetherby, England: Oblong Creative Ltd., 2006
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’. Builder vol. 191, 27 July 1956 p. 149
‘Obituary’. Journal of the Royal Institute of British Architects vol. 63, September 1956 p. 478
‘Obituary’. Town Planning Review vol. 27, October 1956 p. 99