Thomas was born in New Brunswick. The full tenure of Thomas career was at Columbia University, where he received his bachelors degree in 1912, his A.M. in 1914, and his Ph.D. in 1915.  Thomas was an instructor in food chemistry from 1912 to 1917, an assistant professor from 1919 to 1923, and an associate professor from 1923 to 1928.  He became full professor of chemistry in 1928. He died in New York, N. Y.