Edith Emily Dornwell

[2] The family later moved to Adelaide, South Australia where Dornwell initially studied at the State Central Model School.

[5] In 1889 a representative of the University of Adelaide stated that "The most brilliant student in the science course, up to the present, has been a woman— Miss E Dornwell, who passed the first, second, and third year of that course first class in elementary physiology.

[2] Whilst at Riviere, she applied for the position of principal at the newly established Women's College at Sydney University, a post she did not win.

[2] The couple went on to raise two sons, Oliver and Roland, who were sent back to Sydney to continue their secondary education in Australia.

[2] Upon her husband's retirement Dornwell returned to Sydney where she was active in the Lyceum Club and the National Council of Women.