Eva Rodtwitt was born in Oslo, Norway, on January 17, 1924, to Trygve and Frida Maria Rodtwitt. She received degrees in English (1946), History (1948), and French (1953) from the University of Oslo, where she also served as the chairwoman of the Student French Club and the Association of Oslo Lektors of French. Following graduation from the University of Oslo, she went on to teach French, English, and History at Kristiansand Katedralskole (Kristiansand Cathedral School) in Kristiansand, and Foss skole (Foss Upper Secondary School) in Oslo. Additionally, from 1962 to 1965, she assisted with the production of plays with the Dramatic Club at the school.

In order to study English, American culture, and American teaching methods and pedagogy in an immersive environment, Rodtwitt applied for and received the Smith Mundt scholarship for visiting international teachers and a Fulbright grant; she arrived in Washington D.C. in 1959. From 1966 to 1968, she was a visiting lecturer at Wake Forest College, where she later became a lecturer and taught courses primarily about French and French literature. At Wake Forest, Rodtwitt emphasized to her students the importance of learning "foreign languages," political awareness, and a commitment to world affairs.

This collection includes images covering her early life in Norway during the Nazi occupation.