Ronald Herbert Franks was born in Hackney, London, England on 9 March 1911. It is not known where or with whom he trained as an architect. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) in 1938.
A house in Holland-on-Sea, Essex designed by him is discussed in Small Houses £500-£2500, edited by H. Myles Wright (1937 p. 98) and in Seaside Houses and Bungalows. edited by Ella Carter (London: Country Life 1937 pp. 50-51)
He died in Westminster, London on 13 September 1986
Biana (later called The White House), Holland Cliff, Holland-on-Sea, Essex (1934); Rockhill (later called Brockhill), Borth, Wales (1935); Moorlands, Borth, Wales (1935)
Seaside Houses and Bungalows. Edited by Ella Carter. London: Country Lide, 1937