L. Adrian Doe was born in Reading, MA, and received his early education at the Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, NH. After some study at the Massachusetts Normal Art School he came to Philadelphia and received his B.S. in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania in 1922. Following graduation he entered the firm of Davis, Dunlap & Barney and remained there through 1925. Thereafter he worked for the following firms: Simon & Simon, 1925-1927; Ralph Bencker, 1926; Rankin & Kellogg, 1927-1938. He progressed in the employ of Rankin & Kellogg from chief designer in 1927, to silent partner in 1935, and full partner in 1943, continuing the work of the firm after the retirement of the other two principals. During his years with Rankin & Kellogg, Doe was responsible for the designs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Building, the Montgomery Co. Courthouse, and the Provident Trust Co. Following the retirement of the other two partners, Doe finished the Chalfonte Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ.

During the 1950s Doe was employed by the U.S. Department of the Interior in the Philadelphia office. Doe joined the AIA in 1942 and was elected to emeritus status in 1966. He was also a member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the AIA, serving as treasurer, vice-president, and a member of the Board of Directors. He served as treasurer for the Pennsylvania Society of Architects and was a member of the Franklin Institute.

Written by Sandra L. Tatman.