He was educated for the law, but, disliking the profession, he was sent to Hamburg as his father's agent.

He occupied his leisure by translating several of August von Kotzebue's dramas.

On 24 March 1798 one of these, ‘The Stranger,’ was brought out at Drury Lane, John Philip Kemble taking the title rôle.

On 12 October 1812 an original operatic drama by Thompson, entitled ‘Godolphin,’ was unsuccessfully produced at Drury Lane.

In 1799 he married Jane, youngest daughter of John Bourne, rector of Sutton-cum-Duckmanton and of South Wingfield in Derbyshire.