Emily Mary Dorman, later Lady Shackleton, was born into a large wealthy family in Sydenham, Kent.

[1] The family also benefited from the generosity of philanthropist Janet Stancomb-Wills who assisted in the financing of some of Sir Ernest Shackleton's expeditions.

Family life continued in this way until the death of Sir Ernest Shackleton of a heart attack on the island of South Georgia, while en route to Antarctica during the Shackleton–Rowett Expedition.

She approached their family friend, Scottish meteorologist and geographer Hugh Robert Mill, to author the first full-length biography of Shackleton, with her cooperation.

Sir Ernest's death had left her with debts, totalling approximately £1.5 million in modern terms, and she relied heavily on philanthropic support.