Theodore Roosevelt Dalton earned his Artium Baccalaureus and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the College of William & Mary. He practiced law in Radford, Virginia, and served as Commonwealth's Attorney before being elected to the Senate of Virginia. Dalton transitioned to the federal judiciary, where he served as a U.S. District Court judge and later as Chief Judge. He also contributed to state constitutional reform efforts.

Theodore Roosevelt Dalton's political identity is marked by a complex blend of traditionalism and selective progressiveness. His opposition to Brown v. Board of Education and advocacy for a pupil placement plan to maintain segregation reveal a deeply rooted conservative stance on civil rights. However, his support for public finance in transportation and opposition to Senator Byrd's "pay as you go" doctrine suggest a willingness to diverge from orthodox fiscal conservatism. This juxtaposition of positions creates a compelling tension in his ideological framework.