Daniel, Thomas Nance, 1911-1980

Dates

• Existence: 1911 - 1980

Biography

Thomas Nance Daniel was born on March 9, 1911 in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1928, he graduated from Duncan College Preparatory School in Nashville. For the academic year 1928-29, Daniel attended Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, and the following academic year he attended Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Daniel attended (1930-31) and graduated from the Illinois School of Photography, Effingham, Illinois.

After graduation from photography school, Daniel became a self-employed photographer in Raleigh, North Carolina. He specialized in yearbook photography and served as the official photographer for many area colleges and universities, including North Carolina State University, Wake Forest University, Duke University, North Carolina State Women's College, and Davidson College.

Shortly after United States entry into World War II, Daniel joined the United States Army and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Signal Corps, assigned to the Army Pictorial Service. He remained in the army from 1942-45, commanding a combat photographic unit and serving in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. He received both the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. In 1946, Daniel opened his own photographic studio in Bristol, Virginia. He closed the studio in 1964 to become ETSU's chief photographer. He remained in this position until retiring in 1977. Daniel was an elder and deacon in the Central Presbyterian Church, Bristol, Virginia. He was a member of the Professional Photographers of America, Elks Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Sullivan County Kiwanis Club of Bristol, Tennessee. Daniel married Mary Vivian Haines of Ewing, Virginia. They had one son, Thomas Nance Daniel, Jr. Daniel died on August 1, 1980 at his home in Bristol, Virginia.

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