Ronald Green was born on 1 August 1895, the son of Frank Green and Christiana Swanson. He was educated first at University College and then at University College Hospital, qualifying in 1918. He at once showed an interest in anatomy and became first demonstrator in anatomy at University College and later lecturer in the same subject at University College Hospital Medical School. He moved to Durham in the early twenties, first as lecturer in anatomy and later Professor in Anatomy, a post which he held until 1960. From 1937 to 1960 he was also the Dean of Medicine in the Newcastle division of Durham University and he thus held an unique position for many years. In the thirties there were many internal problems in the University of Newcastle which led to a Royal Commission; this Commission combined two Newcastle institutions, the College of Medicine and the Armstrong College into a single unit, the University College. The success of this venture depended to a great extent on Lord Eustace Percy, but he in turn relied considerably on the advice given to him by Ronald Green. The whole of Green's working life was spent in Newcastle and the influence he exerted was enormous; over the years the University often called on Green for advice and leadership and seldom neglected his opinion. In 1926 he married Doris Kathleen Conway and they had one son. He died at his home on 27 April 1973.