Waddy Thompson Jr. was born in Pickensville, South Carolina on January 8, 1798. A lawyer, he started his political career in the South Carolina House of Representatives, where he served from 1826-1829. He then represented South Carolina in the U.S. House from 1835-1841 before assuming the role of U.S. Minister to Mexico from 1842-1844. He died in Tallahassee, Florida on November 23, 1868.