Thomas H. Herndon graduated from the University of Alabama and attended Harvard Law School. He practiced law in Alabama, transitioning between private practice and editorial work. Herndon served in various state legislative roles and the state secession convention, and he also served in the Confederate Army. After the war, he resumed his law career and pursued a political career, including an unsuccessful run for Governor and later serving in Congress.

Thomas H. Herndon's political career reveals a complex interplay between regional loyalty and broader national concerns, marked by an intriguing adaptability in his legislative actions. His military service and subsequent political roles during and after the Civil War suggest a nuanced stance on reconciliation and reconstruction. Herndon's involvement in state constitutional matters and his participation in the secession convention hint at a deeply rooted commitment to Southern identity, yet his post-war activities indicate a willingness to engage with the changing political landscape. His rhetorical style likely balances a reverence for tradition with a pragmatic approach to governance, though the specifics remain tantalizingly incomplete.