[1][2] Lester was born in Griswold, Connecticut, a descendant of Jonathan Edwards.

He was of a roving disposition and traveled widely in the United States and Europe.

He was admitted to the bar in Mississippi and later was ordained a minister in the Presbyterian church.

In 1840, he addressed antislavery meetings in Massachusetts and was elected a delegate to the London antislavery conference of that year.

In 1842, President Tyler appointed Lester United States Consul at Genoa.