Thomas G. West is Professor of Politics at the University of Dallas, where he has taught since 1974. He is also a Director and Senior Fellow of the Claremont Institute, which has generously supported and publicized his research. Born in 1945, Thomas West received his B.A. from Cornell University in 1967 and his Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University in 1974. He served in Vietnam as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1969-70. He was Bradley Resident Scholar at the Heritage Foundation in 1988-89, and Salvatori Visiting Scholar at Claremont McKenna College from 1990-92.

Thomas West is married to Grace Starry West, who teaches Classics at the University of Dallas. They have four children.