Born in Lafayette, NY., Melvin King attended local public schools, joining the architectural office of James H. Kirby in 1885. Four years later he started working in the office of Archimedes Russell; he became Russell's partner in 1906.

Following Russell's death in 1915, King practiced under his own name until 1932 when his son Harry joined the firm as partner. In 1945 father and son were joined by F. Curtis King, Melvin King's nephew.

Melvin King was an active member in the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects (A.I.A.) and served as its president from 1930-32.

The architectural office he founded is still in existence as King and King in Manlius.

Churches

• St. Mathew's R.C. Church, 1915, 229 Yates St., East Syracuse, NY. Extant.
• St. Anthony of Padua Convent, 1926, W. Colvin St., Syracuse, NY. Extant.

Schools and Buildings for Community Organizations

• Junior-Senior High School (now Hazard Middle School), 1922, Hazard St., Solvay, NY. Extant.
• Franklin Public High School, 1923-24, S. Alvord St., Syracuse, NY. Extant.
• Onondaga Valley Academy (now Faith Heritage Academy), c 1930, 3740 Midland Ave., Syracuse, NY. Extant.
• North Syracuse High School, 1935 North Syracuse, NY. Demolished.
• Syacuse Boy's Club, 1922, Fayette Park, Syracuse, NY. Extant in altered form.
• Public Library, Charles E White Branch, 1925, 763 Butternut St., Syracuse, NY. Extant.
• Masonic Temple, 1926, Woods Rd., Solvay, NY. Extant.

• First Trust & Deposit Company, South Side Branch, 1921, 2209 S. Salina St., Syracuse, NY. Extant.
• First Trust & Deposit Company, North Side Office, 1925, c. Butternut & Park St., Syracuse, NY. Extant.
• First Trust & Deposit Company, Branch Office, 1928, 419 W. Onondaga St., Syracuse, NY. Extant.
• Gaylord Bros. Factory, 1922-23, Gifford, c. Granger Sts., Syracuse, NY. Extant.
• Leiter Bldg., (Syracuse Lighting Co.), 1922, 421-423 Warren St, Syracuse, NY. Demolished.
• Denison Bldg. 1925, 211 E. Fayette St., Syracuse, NY. Extant
• Hills Building, 1928, Montgomery & E. Fayette Sts., Syracuse NY. Extant.
• Coca Cola Bottling Plant (now Dave Ball Chevrolet), 1937, Dewey Ave. & West Genesee St., Syracuse, NY. Extant in altered form.

• S. Shopiro Res., 1923-24, 2100 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY. Extant.
• John C. Marsellus Res., 1926, 204 Sedgewick Drive, Syracuse, NY. Extant.
• Harold McGrath Res., C. 1935, W. Onondaga St., Syracuse, NY. Demolished.