James T. Lee

James Thomas Lee was born on October 2, 1877, in Manhattan, New York City. He was the only surviving son among ten children in his family, with six of his siblings reaching adulthood. His father was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, to parents of County Cork origin, and later obtained an M.D. from Bellevue College in 1880, becoming a physician and subsequently serving as district superintendent of New York City Public Schools. His mother was of County Tipperary descent and was raised by her uncle in Troy, New York, after becoming orphaned at a young age.

Lee met his future wife while both were teaching in Troy, New York. He married Margaret Ann Merritt on October 7, 1903. Merritt was born in New York City to Irish immigrant parents from County Clare, Thomas Merritt and Maria Curry. Their marriage produced four children: Marion Merritt Lee (1906–1947), Janet Norton Lee (1907–1989), Margaret Winifred Lee (1912–1991), and an additional sister not named in the provided information.

After spending a year studying violin, Lee enrolled at the City College of New York in 1898 to study engineering. During his college years, he joined Delta Kappa Epsilon and worked as a law clerk earning $6 per week. He graduated from City College in 1901 and pursued a master's degree at Columbia University in political science and economics, earning an A.M. in 1902. Subsequently, he attended Columbia Law School, graduating in 1903.

Following law school, Lee established his own legal practice. Recognizing the upcoming construction of the Seventh Avenue Subway, he invested in property along the proposed route, which increased significantly in value once the subway was completed. By 1910, Lee's career had shifted largely to real estate development, managing a portfolio that included more than two hundred residential and commercial buildings. His company, Shelton Holding Corporation, was focused on real estate, with Lee serving as its president.

In 1908, Lee and his partner Charles R. Fleischmann built the Peter Stuyvesant apartments located at the corner of 98th Street and Riverside Drive, designed by William L. Rouse. In 1910, while residing nearby at 669 West End Avenue, he developed 998 Fifth Avenue, a luxury cooperative building designed by the architectural firm McKim, Mead & White. Between 1913 and 1920, Lee constructed several office buildings near Grand Central Terminal, including the Central Building on 45th Street, the Berkeley Building on 44th Street, and the National Association Building on 43rd Street, all designed by Starrett & van Vleck.

In 1923, Lee completed the Shelton Hotel at 49th Street and Lexington Avenue, which was designed by Arthur Loomis Harmon and was the tallest hotel in the world at the time, with 24 stories. He was also involved in banking, joining the board of Chase National Bank in 1928, and served with them until 1943. Afterwards, he became president and chairman of the Central Savings Bank.

In 1929, Lee began construction of 740 Park Avenue, a luxury cooperative apartment building designed by Rosario Candela and Arthur Loomis Harmon. Located between East 71st and 72nd Streets, it is recognized for its luxury and prominence in New York City residential real estate.

Lee's personal life included his marriage to Margaret Merritt. Their children included Marion Merritt Lee, who married John Joseph Ryan Jr.; Janet Norton Lee, who married John Vernou Bouvier III and later Hugh Dudley Auchincloss; Margaret Winifred Lee, who married Franklin D'Olier Jr. In 1925, Lee joined the Maidstone Club in East Hampton.

Margaret Merritt Lee died unexpectedly in February 1943 at age 63. Lee died at his residence at 580 Park Avenue in Manhattan on January 3, 1968. His funeral service was held at the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, and he was buried with his parents at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York.

His descendants include grandchildren through his daughters, notably Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, who married John F. Kennedy; Caroline Lee Bouvier; Janet Jennings Auchincloss; and others, including William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil and Anthony Coats Brown, through his grandchildren and familial connections.