Ray Key was born in Kenilworth, Warwickshire; he worked as a patternmaker and later as a clay modeller for the Chrysler studios in Coventry. Woodturning began as a hobby. He has taught in locations worldwide; in 1984 published Woodturning and Design (Batsford) and was founding chairman of the Association of Woodturners of Britain. His work is usually simple in form so as to accentuate the inherent beauty of material: exotic, fine and unusual timbers, often burred or spalted.