Arthur Priest was born in Birtles, Cheshire, England on 15 August 1864 and was articled to F. C. Weeks in Manchester and, from 1881 to 1885, with Edward Salomons (1828-1906) and John Ely (1847-1915) of Salomons & Ely with whom he remained as an assistant. He was also employed as an assistant by J. Ely, by Edward Salomons and Alfred Steinthal (1859-1928) of Salomons & Steinthal; and by W. Percy Samuels in Knutsford, Cheshire for ten years. Priest commenced practice in Knutaford, Cheshire in 1887 and was elected a Licentiate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (LRIBA) in 1911.
His address was given as 17, Gorstall Chambers, Eastgate Row North, Chester, Cheshure in 1911 and 1931. He died in Manley, near Helsby, Cheshire. on 14 October 1943. At the time of his death he was living in Warrington, Cheshire
Wesleyan Churches at Plumbley, Wincham, Middlewich, and Oakmere (Cheshire); Sunday Schools at Northwlch, Weaverham, Middlewich (Cheshire), Diss (Norfolk), Winsford, &c.; residences at Whaley Bridge, Plumbley, Acton, Weaverham, Kingsley, &c.; works at Chester, Acton Bridge, Cuddington; shops at Barnton, Tarporley.
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 2: L-Z. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001