Thompson was born at Peachey Hall,
Freiston, near Boston, Lincolnshire. He went to work as a bank clerk in Boston. In 1811–12 he ran
The Enquirer, or Literary, Mathematical, and Philosophical Repository, from Boston with
William Marrat. Emigrating to America in 1819, Thompson was in business as a bookseller and publisher on
Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington. There he became acquainted with
Daniel Webster,
Edward Everett, and other leading figures. Thompson returned to England in 1846. He died at
Stoke Newington on 25 September 1862, and was buried at
Abney Park cemetery. ==Works==