Harvey Manning was born in Ballard on July 16, 1925, to parents Harvey and Kathryn. His passion for the outdoors began at an early age, but truly emerged during his time as a Boy Scout in the 1930s and 1940s. Following his graduation from the University of Washington with a degree in English literature, Manning held a number of jobs, including editor of the university’s alumni magazine. His career included selling for radio station KISW, 1954-1957 and KXA, 1957; book salesman for Macmillan Company, 1957; Paper Editions, 1957; Rinehart and Company, 1958-1959; and Holt Rinehart and Winston, 1960. From 1961 to 1962 he was an agent for Sierra Club books.

Manning is best known for his involvement in the local mountaineering community, and for his efforts to conserve the wilderness in the Puget Sound region. He is the author of dozens of mountaineering and hiking guides, including the popular "100 Hikes" series. Additionally, his seminal climbing text "Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills" was the founding title of The Mountaineers Books, which he started in 1961. He authored many works for the publishing house before parting ways with the company in 2002. Manning was also a founding member of the North Cascades Conservation Council and the Issaquah Alps Trail Club. Manning died at the age of 81 on November 12, 2006, leaving behind his wife, Betty, and children Claudia Manning, Harvey Paul Manning, Penelope Manning, and Rebecca Oliver.