Marjory Veronica Seton-Williams was born in Melbourne, Australia, the daughter of Seton Gordon Nixon Williams (1856–1927), a lawyer, and Eliza Mary (Ellie) Staughton (1875–1947).

[4] One of her professors in Ancient History was Jessie Webb, who provided her with letters of introduction to leading British classicists when she moved to London to further her studies.

[8] During the Second World War she worked as an ambulance driver and in the Postal Censorship Department and in the British Council's Ministry of Information.

[citation needed] Between 1958 and 1961 she led excavations at Barkhale Camp in Sussex, using the digs as training for extramural students from London University.

[13] Seton-Williams taught Egyptian and Mesopotamian archaeology for 25 years at the University of London, during which time she frequently collaborated with colleagues Joan du Plat Taylor and John Waechter on field projects in Cyprus, Syria and Turkey.