James Dailey II

James Dailey II is a graduate of the School of Advertising Art in Dayton, Ohio. He is curator of The Dailey Archives, an important assembly of artifacts, early photography and ephemera. It also comprises the largest privately held collection of Ohio prison memorabilia. 'Inside the Ohio Penitentiary' is his debut work as an author.

Dailey believes that by preserving historic items, their former owners are granted a sort of immortality. "Their stories are locked within these pieces. Suspended in time. Together, a forgotten world comes into focus," he reveals. Dailey considers the act of sharing history as the most important part of his mission. "I don't collect to accumulate possessions. I'm only a caretaker. The story of humanity's journey belongs to everyone."