Francis Cunningham Rannie Johnson [also known as Francis C. R. Johnson] was born in Torquay, Devon, England on 16 June 1875 and was articled to Edward Richards (1841?-1903) in Torquay from 1892. He commenced independent practice as an architect in Chesterfield, Derbyshire in 1901 and was in partnership with Percy Bond Houfton (1874-1926). In 1904 he relocated his practice to Torquay and was in partnership with H. J. Webber from 1904, and with C. Waymouth from 1906. By 1914 he was practising on his own. During World War One he served in the Royal Flying Corps. He died in Newton Abbot, Devon in 1954
With P. B. Houfton: Drill Hall, Creswell, Nottingham. With H. J. Webber: Addition, Torquay Hydro. With Waymouth & Webber: New wing, Torquay Hydro; new wing, Grand Hotel, Torquay; Vicarage, Ellacombe; Torquay and South Devon Golf Club House. Alone: New entrance, billiard room, &c , at Grand Hotel, Torquay. [Source: Who's Who in Architecture 1914]
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