[1][2] He was also the elder brother of Robert Campbell Jr who, at various times, was a member of the Legislative Council and Assembly and Colonial Treasurer.

[5] Campbell was educated in England between 1810 and 1820 and joined his father's business after returning to Australia.

He became the sole owner of the business in 1859 and was a noted philanthropist who donated much of his fortune to the Anglican Church of Australia.

Campbell was appointed to the first New South Wales Legislative Council which was convened after the establishment of responsible self-government in 1856.

However he resigned after 17 days to unsuccessfully contest a ministerial by-election for the seat of Sydney Hamlets.