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Thompson was born in Sheffield, Alabama to Ruth Bradley and Fletcher Thompson. Soon after his birth, the family moved just across the state line to nearby Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. There, he attended public schools, including Lawrence County High. In 1959, at the age of 17, he married Sarah Elizabeth Lindsey.

Thompson was born in Sheffield, Alabama to Ruth Bradley and Fletcher Thompson. Soon after his birth, the family moved just across the state line to nearby Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. There, he attended public schools, including Lawrence County High. In 1959, at the age of 17, he married Sarah Elizabeth Lindsey.

Thompson first attended Florence State College and then Memphis State University where he earned an undergraduate degree in philosophy and political science in 1964. At this time, Fred worked to put himself through Vanderbilt University Law School and support his wife and three children. Thompson went on to earn his J.D. degree from Vanderbilt in 1967.

Thompson first attended Florence State College and then Memphis State University where he earned an undergraduate degree in philosophy and political science in 1964. At this time, Fred worked to put himself through Vanderbilt University Law School and support his wife and three children. Thompson went on to earn his J.D. degree from Vanderbilt in 1967. He was admitted to the State Bar of Tennessee that same year and worked as an assistant U.S. attorney from 1969 to 1972.  

He was the campaign manager for Republican U.S. Senator [[Howard Baker]]'s successful re-election campaign in 1972, which led to a close personal friendship with Baker. He later served as co-chief counsel to the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities ("Watergate Committee") from 1973 to 1974.

Thompson was admitted to the State Bar of Tennessee in 1967 and worked as an assistant U.S. attorney from 1969 to 1972. He was the campaign manager for Republican U.S. Senator [[Howard Baker]]'s successful re-election campaign in 1972, which led to a close personal friendship with Baker. He later served as co-chief counsel to the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities ("Watergate Committee") from 1973 to 1974.

He was responsible for Baker asking one of the questions that is said to have led directly to the downfall of President Richard Nixon-"What did the President know, and when did he know it?" Also, Thompson's voice has become immortalized in recordings of the Watergate proceedings, with him asking the key question, "Mr. Butterfield, are you aware of the installation of any listening devices in the Oval Office of the President?" For leading the line of inquiry that revealed the audio-taping system in the [[White House]] Oval Office, he gained national attention. Later, he documented his role in the hearings, writing the book, ''At That Point in Time: The Inside Story of the Senate Watergate Committee''.  

He was responsible for Baker asking one of the questions that is said to have led directly to the downfall of President Richard Nixon-"What did the President know, and when did he know it?" Also, Thompson's voice has become immortalized in recordings of the Watergate proceedings, with him asking the key question, "Mr. Butterfield, are you aware of the installation of any listening devices in the Oval Office of the President?" For leading the line of inquiry that revealed the audio-taping system in the [[White House]] Oval Office, he gained national attention. Later, he documented his role in the hearings, writing the book, ''At That Point in Time: The Inside Story of the Senate Watergate Committee''.  

Thompson went on to became special counsel to Tennessee Governor [[Lamar Alexander]] in 1980, special counsel, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations 1980-1981, Special counsel to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence 1982. He became a member of the Tennessee Appellate Court Nominating Commission 1985-1987.

Thompson went on to became special counsel to Tennessee Governor [[Lamar Alexander]] in 1980, special counsel, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations 1980-1981, Special counsel to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence 1982. He became a member of the Tennessee Appellate Court Nominating Commission 1985-1987.

From 1975 to 1992 Thompson worked as a corporate lobbyist in Washington, D.C. He represented firms such as General Electric, Westinghouse and the Tennessee Savings and Loan League.  

From 1975 to 1992 Thompson worked as a corporate lobbyist in Washington, D.C. He represented firms such as General Electric, Westinghouse and the Tennessee Savings and Loan League.