Born 1896 April 10 in Cumberland Hills, Maine, Donald W. Hurd graduated from Westbrook (ME) High School in 1915. He attended the University of Maine, 1915-1916, before moving to Providence, RI to work at Brown University. Hurd served in World War One with the 56th Pioneer Division as a musician, 1917-1919. Hurd attended the American Expeditionary Force University at Winningen, Germany while on occupation duty. He returned to Brown University receiving a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in 1921. Hurd began teaching at Rhode Island School of Design in 1920 as a part-time mathematics instructor for veterans attending rehabilitation and vocational classes. He taught day and evening students beginning in the 1920s with the Department of Mechanical Design and became head of the new Department of Mathematics in 1945.

Hurd served as an instructor at Brown University Extension classes and Providence Technical High School and taught Defense Emergency and Civilian Aeronautics Administration classes during World War Two. As a Lt. Colonel in the Rhode Island Wing of the Civilian Air Patrol and licensed ground-school instructor, he taught classes for the Civilian Pilot Training Program held at RISD during the war.

Hurd married Agnes R. Hurd on 1922 July 22 and lived in Providence, RI. He died on 1951 May 29 while teaching class in Market House.