Tamon Maeda graduated from the German Law Section of Tokyo University (1909). Entered Ministry of Home Affairs, was deputy mayor of Tokyo.
Tamon Maeda joined editorial staff of the Tokyo Asahi Shimbun, and then went to America to serve as director of the Japanese Cultural Library in New York. After returning, became governor of Niigata Prefecture.
Tamon Maeda became Minister of Education of the Higashikuni Cabinet (1945) and in the succeeding Shidehara Cabinet. He was concurrently chairman of the Japanese committee of UNESCO, chairman of the Tokyo Municipal Administration Investigation Committee, chairman of the Japan ILO Association and chairman of Local Administration Research Committee.
Tamon Maeda was representative of the Japanese Government to the International Labor Organization at Geneva (1923-1926). Attended the General Convention of UNESCO at Paris (1951-1952).