Henry Rothschild was Dorothy's father. Her mother, Eliza, died when she was just 5 years old and Henry was left with three children to raise on his own. He married again and his second wife, Eleanor, was thoroughly hated by the Rothschild children, Dorothy especially. Dorothy and her sister often summered at the beach and Henry and Dorothy often corresponded. It is said that he fostered Dorothy's love for poetry and the English language. Their friendship is evident in the letters between them.