A native of Salem, Connecticut, Hopkins attended Yale College and the Litchfield Law School, attained admission to the bar in 1793, and became an attorney in New York.

[2] In 1784, he began residing in Hartford with his uncle Dr. Lemuel Hopkins, so he could attend the Free Grammar School and begin training for a career in medicine.

[5] After leaving Yale, Hopkins decided on a career as a lawyer and began attendance at Litchfield Law School.

[5] He was admitted to the bar of Connecticut in March 1793 and moved to Poughkeepsie, New York to continue the study of law with attorneys James Kent and Jacob Radcliff.

[6] With four other prospective attorneys, Hopkins was admitted to the New York bar in May 1793, with Aaron Burr serving as their sponsor before the examining committee.

[11] At the conclusion of his work for Watson, Hopkins and several acquaintances including William Tudor remained in England as tourists and also visited Ireland.

[13] In the fall of 1798, Hopkins succeeded to the law practice of New York City attorney Michael D. Henry, who was terminally ill with tuberculosis.

[16] In addition to his law practice, Hopkins operated a farm and engaged in livestock breeding and raising, primarily sheep.

[20] In the spring of 1822, Hopkins sold his Geneseo property and moved to Albany, New York, where he continued the practice of law.