George Frederick Collinson was born in Highgate, Middlesex [now London], England in 1867 and was the son of Francis W. Collinson, co-founder of the furnishing firm Collinson & Lock. He was articled to Thomas Edward Collcutt (1840-1924) from 1886 to 1889 and remained with him as his assistant until c.1891. He then worked as an assistant to Edward Blakeway l'Anson (1842?-1913) for a year. He also attended the Architectural Association Schools in London for a year and the Slade School of Fine Art University College, London. Collinson qualified as an architect in 1891 and that year commenced independent practice as an architect in London in partnership with James Cubitt (1836-1912) as Cubitt & Collinson. The partnership was dissolved in 1899. From 1897 to 1903 Collinson was architect to the Finchley School Board.
Collinson was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) in 1891 and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1901. He died in London on 19 December 1937.
Minster House, Harpenden; Vine Hotel, Hlghgate Road; Messrs. Clay's premises, Brunswick Street, Stamford Street, S.E.; the White Horse, Fetter Lane; the Admiral Duncan, Old Compton Street; Chaos End, Hadley Wood; Science Schools, East Finchley and North Flnchley; house at Selsey: house at Whitchurch; Bank House, Johnstone; factory in Mansell Street; contractors' stables. East Finchley; 11 and 13, Upper St. Martin's Lane; Twickenham Laundry; 2, New Bond Street; House at Farnborough; Cottage at Salcombe; Richard Clay and Sons' premises; factories for Parker and Parker, Farrow and Jackson, Marks and Spencer; "Western Morning News offices
In conjunction with James Cubitt: Stockwell Orphanage, Spurgeon Memorial Hall; Avenue Church, Southampton; Congregational Church, Streatham; Presbyterian Church, Bangor; Board School, North Finchley: Green Man, Bedford Street. In conjunction with A. M. Cock: additions to St. Mary's, Holly Place, Hampstead
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