Richard Wylie was born in Gateshead, Co. Durham, England on 7 March 1877 and was articled to Thomas Leslie Anderson (1856-1939) in 1892. He also attended Gateshead School of Art where he was awarded the Queen's Prize for Architectural Design, 1900 and the King's Prize for Architectural Design, 1902,
He worked as an assistant to Edward Shewbrooks (1842-1910) in 1896-97, and to James Thorburn Cackett (1860-1928) and Robert Burns Dick (1808-1954) from 1897 to 1902.
Wylie was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) in 1903 and commenced independent practice in Gateshead in 1905. From 1925 to 1948 he was Diocesan Surveyor for Durham.
His address was given as 20 Wilberforce Terrace, Gateshead, Co. Durham in 1903; Victoria Buildings, Gateshead, Co. Durham in 1905 and 1911; 51 Grainger Street West, Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1911; 24, Grainger Street West, Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1914 and 1926; "Denecroft", 4 Melrose Avenue, Low Fell, Durham in 1911 and 1939. He died in Gateshead, Co. Durham in 1953
St. George's Hall and Buildings, Gateshead, 1908; Abbot Memorial Schools (remodelling), Gateshead, 1911; Gateshead Co-operative Society's Branch at Eastbourne Avenue, 1920; Sheriff Hill, 1921; Coalsworth Road, 1921; and Dunston, 1922. Gateshead Housing Scheme, Carr's Hill, 1920; War memorial screen, Barnard Castle, 1923; parochial hall, Barnard Castle, 1922.
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