Yerkes Observatory
Elvey worked at the Yerkes Observatory and later served as astronomer-in-charge at McDonald Observatory. His research included investigating the spectra of stars, galactic light, aurorae, and the gegenschein. During 1939–40 he worked with fellow Yerkes Observatory astronomers Otto Struve (his former teacher) and Christine Westgate to study the rate of rotation in higher mass stars via spectroscopy. During World War II, he performed applied research into rocket ballistics at the California Institute of Technology. He then joined the China Lake U. S. Naval Ordnance Test Station, becoming head of staff in 1951.