He is often confused with his younger brother, John Trumbull, a famous artist during the revolutionary war and early years of the United States.

Trumbull graduated from Harvard College in 1759, and gave the valedictory address when he received his master's degree in 1762.

Carrying on the family's tradition of public service, Trumbull began with town and colony offices: lister, grand juror, surveyor of highways, justice of the peace, and selectman.

He did not seek re-election for a fourth term and instead ran for the United States Senate.

[7] On June 10, 1796, he resigned from the United States Senate to become Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut.