Arthur W. Thornton was born in McKeesport, Pa., and graduated from Lehigh University as a Metallurgical Engineer in 1931. He began as a Metallurgist at National Tube Company, a division of the United States Steel Company, in the McKeesport Mill in 1934. He was named Assistant Superintendent in 1940, Superintendent in 1943, Assistant General Superintendent in 1952 and finally Assistant to the Vice President of Operations for the National Tube Company at their headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pa. He would eventually become the Director of Engineering and Research and work for the company for 36 total years. He had two children with his wife Jane Thornton.
From the description of Arthur Thornton papers 1940-1963 [manuscript] (Historical Society of W Pennsylvania). WorldCat record id: 773373714
