Homburg was born in Norwood and educated at Prince Alfred College and the University of Adelaide.

Following his admission to the bar in 1897, he practised law at his father's legal firm, Homburg & Melrose.

[2] Representing his father's former electorate, Hermann Homburg served as a non-Labor Party member for Murray in the House of Assembly from 1906 to 1915.

[1] He soon fell victim to anti-German sentiment and resigned in early 1915 to avoid embarrassing the government in the forthcoming election.

[1] Despite his many years of public service, Homburg's loyalties were once again questioned following the advent of World War II.