Frank Edward Smee was born in Islington, London, England in 1864. He was articled to William Muskett Yetts (1859-1924) and Francis John Sturdy (1853-1942) of Yetts & Sturdy in London in 1883 and remained with them as an assistant. He also attended classes at the Architectural Association Schools, the Royal Academy Schools and the South Kensington Museum School in London. He commenced practice as an architect in Smithfield, London in 1891 and by 1914 was in partnership with Harold Rogers Houchin (1877-1949) as Smee & Houchin. The partnership was dissolved in 1930. Some time before 1914 he was also in partnership or collaborated with Arnold Mitchell.
Smee was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1907. His address was given as 6, Hanley Road West, Islington, London in 1871; Thornton, Grand Parade, Leigh On Sea, Essex in 1911; 54, St Johns Park, Islington, London in 1881;
Seacroft, Avenue Road, Leigh on Sea, Essex in 1901; 12 West Smithfield, London in 1896; Byron House, 82-85 Fleet Street, London in 1907 and 1923; Fleet House, 58, Fleet Street, London in 1926; and Thornton, Grand Parade, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex 1911 and 1942. He died in Southend, Essex on 27 March 1942.
Nonconformist churches and schools (in conjunction with Houchin); two Baptist Churches, Southend; Baptist Church, Seaford; Wesleyan Church, Leigh; Brownhill Road Baptist Church, Hither Green; Cranbrook Road Congregational Church, Ilford; Mount Zion Street Baptist Church; Regent's Street Church; Finsbury Park; and others. In conjunction with Mr. Mence: Congregational Church, St. Albans. Houses: St. Albans. Totteridge, and elsewhere. School Board work: St. Albans and Leigh-on-Sea. In conjunction with Arnold Mitchell [possibly Arnold Bidlake Mitchell (1863-1944]: Works for Thos. Cook & Son, Ludgate Circus, and Cockspur Street.
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