Born in 1791[1][2] in Marlboro County, South Carolina, Campbell was educated by a private tutor.

Campbell was elected as a Nullifier to the Twenty-third Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative Thomas B. Singleton.

He was appointed on March 16, 1853, a commissioner for the United States to aid in settlement of the disputed boundary line between Texas and Mexico.

He was appointed consul at London, England, and served from August 3, 1854, to March 1861, when he was recalled.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress