Thomas J. Preston Jr.

Thomas Jex Preston Jr. was born on October 26, 1862, in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. He completed his undergraduate studies at Princeton University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He earned a bachelor's degree, followed by a master's degree and a doctorate (PhD) from Princeton. Additionally, he studied abroad for two years at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France, and at the University of Rome in Italy.

Preston initially pursued a career in business, working for a manufacturing firm in Newark, New Jersey. After accumulating a substantial financial reserve, he transitioned into academia and archaeology. He held the position of professor of archaeology at Princeton University during the academic year 1911–1912. Later, he served as the president pro tempore of Wells College in Aurora, New York. Preston was recognized as a fellow of both the American Academy in Rome and the Archaeological Institute of America.

On February 10, 1913, Preston married Frances Folsom Cleveland, the widow of President Grover Cleveland. Their wedding took place at the Prospect House in Princeton, New Jersey. Preston's scholarly contributions include the publication of his doctoral dissertation in 1915, titled "The bronze doors of Monte Cassino and of St. Paul's Rome," published by Princeton University Press.

He passed away on December 25, 1955, in South Orange, New Jersey, at the age of 93.