Edmund Bertram Kirby was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, England on 18 January 1881. He was the son of the architect Edmund Kirby (1838–1920) with whom he was articled in Liverpool from 1901 to 1905. He commenced independent practice in Liverpool in 1905 and from that year, with his brother, Francis Joseph Kirby (1875–1945) was in partnership with his father as Edmund Kirby & Sons. They ran the firm following the retirement of their father in 1917.
Edmund Bertram Kirby was elected a Licentiate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (LRIBA) in 1912 and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1920. His address was given as 5 Cook Street, Liverpool in 1912 and 1939. He died in Gibralter on 26 March 1953.
(Edmund Kirby and Sons): — Hospital Work: Nurses' home; gynaecological operating theatres and ward, extensions to X-ray and orthopaedic depts., Royal Infirmary, Liverpool; electro-therapeutic dept., etc.. Royal Southern Hospital, Liverpool; extensions to Birkenhead Borough Hospital, Birkenhead Infirmary, Birkenhead Maternity Hospital, etc. Commercial: Electricity Buildings, Liverpool; Empire Buildings, Liverpool; London Joint City and Midland Bank, Laird Street, Birkenhead; new premises at Liverpool and Newton-le-Willows, etc., for Messrs. McCorquodale and Co., Ltd. Ecclesiastical Work in connection with St. Werburgh's Church, Chester; St. Wave's, York; St. John's, Anwick; St. Joseph's, Prenton; St. Hildeburgh's, Hoylake; St. John's, Meols; St. Alban's, Liscard; St. Ignatius', Preston; St. Joseph's, Seacombe; Erdington Abbey, etc. Domestic Work: In connection with "Whitegates", Ruthen; "Lingmoor," Birkenhead: " Richmond House, Hayling Island; "Rooklands", Torquay; " Dormy", Hoylake, etc. Various: Maryland Street Schools, Liverpool; King Edward VII. Memorial, Birkenhead; Stonyhurst College War Memorial.
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