Frank Ebenezer Buck was born in Colchester, England. He received his early schooling and initial training, mostly in the printing business and journalism. On coming to Canada in 1902, he worked as an associate editor on a newspaper. He maintained a private practice in landscaping work. Buck later entered Macdonald College, graduating with a BSA in 1911. Buck obtained a Diploma from Cornell University. From 1912 to 1920, he served as Assistant Dominion Horticulturalist in charge of landscape architecture and floriculture work at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa. When the University of British Columbia required ornamental horticulturalists in 1920, Buck was selected to handle the tremendous task of landscaping the University campus. He was also active in town planning work and belonged to numerous associations. He officially retired from the UBC faculty in 1949 but maintained his interest in campus development in an advisory capacity.