Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Harvey was in the United States Army during World War II, from 1943 to 1946.

He was in private practice of law in Baltimore from 1950 to 1966, and was an assistant state attorney general of Maryland from 1955 to 1957.

[1] On September 9, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Harvey to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Maryland vacated by Judge Harrison Lee Winter.

Harvey was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 22, 1966, and received his commission the same day.

[1] Harvey died on December 4, 2017, in Baltimore, at the age of 94.