R.F. Mackenzie was born at Lethenty in Aberdeenshire in 1910. He was educated at Turriff, Gordon's College, and the University of Aberdeen. He travelled widely on the Continent and in America, and established a reputation as a progressive educationist with such books as A Question of Living, Escape from the Classroom and The Sins of the Children. He was headmaster at Braehead in Fife, and subsequently at Summerhill Academy, Aberdeen. His book The Unbowed Head is based on his Summerhill experience.