Born in Waynesville, Ohio, on July 25, 1867, to a prominent farming family,[1] Harvey A.

Surface graduated from The Ohio State University in 1891, and earned a M.S.

[2][3] After teaching at the University of the Pacific and Cornell, he became professor of zoology at Pennsylvania State College from 1900 to 1907, and professor of biology at Susquehanna University from 1920 to 1930.

[4][5] He was ornithological editor of American Gardening, the nature study editor of Popular Educator, and a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, and the Pennsylvania Audubon Society.

He was also the president of the Pennsylvania Beekeeper’s Association for eighteen years.