The son of German missionary, Manthey-Zorn was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, in 1879. He graduated from Adelbert College of Western Reserve University in 1901 and received his Ph.D. in 1904 from the University of Leipzig. After teaching at Adelbert College and the University of Illinois, he came to Amherst College in 1906 to teach German. He retired in 1955.
The papers contain Manthey-Zorn's letters dealing with his appointment on the faculty of Amherst College and the notes for and the draft of an uncompleted memoir of his life and teaching on the German faculty of the College. Of particular importance are his observations on the Meiklejohn presidency at Amherst College. Correspondents include Charles Cole, Robert Frost, Stanley King and George Olds.