Robert Edmund Crossland was born Islington, Middlesex [now London] in 1856 and was articled to Theodore Knolles Green (1834-1916) from 1871 to 1874. He then worked as an assistant to Egbert Evans Cronk (1847-1925) in Tunbridge Wells, Kent in 1874; to Cole Alfred Adams (1844?-1899) from 1874 to 1880; and to Arthur Crawston (1856?-1894) from 1880 to 1882. He also attended classes at the Architectural Association Schools in London. and was awarded the A.A. Essay Prize in 1878.
He commenced independent practice as an architect in London in 1882 and during the 1880s assisted the Ealing County Board Surveyor. In 1889 he was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA).
His address was given as 33 Arlington Square, Islington, Middlesex in 1861; Evelyn Villa, Devonshire Road, Lewisham, Middlesex in 1881; 1 Racquet Court, Fleet Street, London in 1889; 3 Elsinore Road, Forest Hill, Lewisham, London in 1891, 1946; 10, Serjeant's Inn, Fleet Street, London in 1914; 9, King's Bench Walk, Inner Temple, London in 1923 and 1939. He died at his home, 'Lyndhurst' 3 Elsinore Road, Forest Hill, Lewisham, London on 18 April 1946
McDougall's Self-Ralslng Flour Mills, Millwall Docks; the Standard Wholesale Bakery, Southwark: reconstruction of premises for Wesleyan Sunday School Department, Ludgate Circus; Herne Hill Wesleyan Church, hall and school; memorial additions to High Barnet Congregational Church; various houses, shops, warehouse premises, stables
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