William Edward Trent was born in Bow, London, England in 1874 [or 1875 - sources differ]. He was articled to Henry Poston in London, England and remained as his assistant until 1905. He also attended the Architectural Association Schools in London.
Trent commenced practice as an architect in London in 1905, specialising in cinema design. In 1925 he was appointed Architect of the Gaumont-British Picture Company. In 1932 his son, William Sidney Trent (1903-1944) joined him in partnership.
William Edward Trent was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1932. His address was given as 123 Regent Street, London in 1928 and 1945. He died in Epping, Essex in 1948
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
Harwood, Elain. Art Deco Britain: Buildings of the Interwar Years. London: Batsford, 2019