He was born and raised in Scotland and he would go on to be one of the greatest mathematical minds to ever live and die in Scotland. Daniel E Rutherford attended school at St. Andrews University and completed his undergraduate work there in 1927 before going on to gain his masters in 1928.

Daniel E. Rutherford would become the first to receive "first class honors" in mathematics in 1929. He wrote his thesis on modular invariants and was able to work under Roland Weitzebock's supervision. Rutherford was ready to make a name for himself in the field of mathematics with experience leading him and a developing reputation guiding him.

During World War II, Rutherford taught cadets in the Initial Training Wing of St. Andrews. He taught cadets while still moving forward with his research in algebra. He would go on to receive his doctorate degree in 1949.

Rutherford wrote several mathematical papers that were highly regarded. He was elected as a "fellow" of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and taught applied math and the lattice theory that he later wrote about in a published book. In 1965, Introduction to Lattice Theory was published bringing to light much of Daniel E. Rutherford's knowledge.

Rutherford was appointed the Gregory Chair of Applied Mathematics in 1964. He also had the honor to serve as president of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society in 1940 and again in 1963. Daniel E. Rutherford died in 1966.