Charles Thomson was educated in Pennsylvania and began his career as a Latin tutor in Philadelphia. He played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, opposing colonial policies and contributing to the intellectual discourse surrounding independence. Thomson served as the secretary of the Continental Congress, managing its records and foreign affairs, and was instrumental in the creation of the Great Seal of the United States. His scholarly interests extended to biblical translation and agricultural science.

Charles Thomson's political identity is intriguing for his unique blend of historical preservation and myth-making, particularly in his handling of the Continental Congress's journals. His ideological agility is evident in his unexpected opposition to Pennsylvania's American Indian policies, which contrasts with his later role in shaping the new nation's foreign affairs. Thomson's rhetorical style is marked by a calculated approach to regional interests, as seen in his legislative record on environmental regulations.