Selby Sheridan Eddy was born in Boston, Mass. on June 8, 1969, the son of Helen Eddy Estes and John Estes. His parents separated soon after his birth, and Selby was raised by his mother and her family. When Selby was in elementary school, both he and his mother changed their last name back to Eddy.

Selby attended public elementary school in Belmont, Mass. He then enrolled in Principia Upper School in St. Louis, Missouri, where he graduated in 1987.

Selby spent about fifteen summers at Camp Owatonna in Harrison, Maine, first as a camper and later as a counselor. His experiences at Camp Owatonna had a major impact on his life.

Selby's grandfather, Allyn Eddy, became a Christian Scientist when Helen was a young girl, and Christian Science was a major and continuing influence on Selby's life. Both Principia and Camp Owatonna are institutions affiliated with that denomination.

In the fall of 1987 Selby was admitted to Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass. While there, he became interested in video and film making and produced a film, We're Spies, for his Division III (Senior project). The film consists of material gathered from his experiences at Camp Owatonna. Selby graduated from Hampshire in May 1993.

Selby Eddy was killed in a construction accident at Camp Owatonna on June 5, 1993.