Elizabeth May Perkins was born in Brisbane on 8 April 1933. She attended schooling at Clayfield College. She completed her Bachelor of Arts (1953), Master of Arts (Qual.) in English Literature and PhD (1983) with the University of Queensland. While working on her MA thesis she worked part-time at UQ as a tutor and research assistant. In 1970 she took up a lecturer's position at James Cook University and remained there until her retirement in 1996. During this time she was promoted to Senior Lecturer (1978) then Associate Professor (1985); she was one of the first women at the university to reach that rank. Elizabeth was involved with several North Queensland Theatre groups including the Townsville Little Theatre, the Tropic Line Theatre, and she was a member of the New Moon Theatre board. Elizabeth supported the drama, art, music and literature of North Queensland and was regarded as a significant contributor to the Townsville cultural scene. She became the founding member of many arts bodies. In 2002 she was awarded the Order of Australia for her services to the Arts. She died in Townsville on 17 February 2004.