Thompson was born in London, youngest son of solicitor John Thompson and Emma Thompson, née Hitchcock, and was educated at London University College. Following his brothers, both medical doctors, he emigrated to Australia in 1881, settling in Adelaide, where he was employed with the Bank of Australasia, while submitting regular music and drama critiques to
The Advertiser. He moved to Sydney in 1883, becoming the art, drama and music critic for the
Daily Telegraph. He was the
Herald's third drama and music critic, succeeding Sir
Gilbert Parker 1886–1888 and
Austin Brereton 1888–1891, holding the position July 1891 – 1925. ==Family==