Born near Clinton, South Carolina, Griffin pursued an academic course.
He served in the State house of representatives 1816–1819.
He served as member of the State senate 1820–1824 and again in 1828.
Griffin was elected as a Nullifier to the Twenty-second through Twenty-fifth Congresses and reelected as a Democrat to the Twenty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1831 – March 3, 1841).
He died near Clinton, South Carolina, August 1, 1841.