Born May 8, 1903, in Montpelier, Vermont to Erwin M. and Clara Mayo Harvey, Dorothy Mayo Harvey '25 was educated in Montpelier public schools.

She earned degrees from the University of Vermont (BA), Columbia University (MA), and Berea College (PhD), and completed additional graduate studies at Harvard School of Education, University De Grenoble of France, and Pine Manor College at Wellesley, Mass.

While at UVM, Dorothy pursued many interests. She majored in Literary Scientific, busied herself with Kappa Alpha Theta activities, lived in Grasse Mount, and engaged in the following extracurriculars: Masque and Sandal, Manager; Judgment Day Committee; Julia Spear Prize Reading (2nd Prize); Sub-Freshman Day Committee; Literary Club; Maqua Club; Chairman UR Council; Cynic Board; Student Union Program Chairman; Grind Editor Ariel; Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA).

She taught at the Vermont College at Montpelier, wrote several books, and the last 18 years of her teaching career were spent at Berea College at Berea, Kentucky where she retired in 1972.

In 1974, she moved to Shell Point Village in Fort Myers, Florida. For her final resting place, Dorothy returned home and is interred at the West Topsham Vermont Cemetery.