Selina's father was Edmund Taylor, who was a medical doctor with a practice in Middleton near Manchester. Selina and John named their son Edmund Taylor Whittaker, giving him both a forename and a middle name from his maternal grandfather. Edmund Whittaker's mother played an important role in his education, being his only teacher until he reached the age of eleven.
Selina's ama ay Edmund Taylor, na noon ay isang medikal na doktor sa isang practice sa Middleton malapit sa Manchester. Selina at John pangalan ng kanilang mga anak na lalaki Edmund Taylor Whittaker, nagbibigay sa kanya ng isang kapwa at pinangalanan ng isang gitnang pangalan mula sa kanyang ina lolo. Edmund Whittaker's ina-play ng isang mahalagang papel sa kanyang pang-edukasyon, na kanyang guro lamang hanggang siya ay umabot sa edad na labing-isa.