Frederick Pemberton Thompson (1845-1922) was born of Loyalist stock in Douglas, York County, New Brunswick, son of Hannah and Alexander Thompson. His father was a lumberman who became a Member of the Legislative Assembly for York County. Frederick attended school in Douglas and Fredericton. He attended Mount Allison College in Sackville, where he met his wife, Elizabeth Snowball, daughter of the Rev. J. Snowball, a Methodist minister.

Thompson was active in various businesses in Fredericton, in charitable causes, and in politics. He served on municipal council for six years, three as a warden. In 1874 he unsuccessfully contested a seat in the House of Assembly for York County, but was successful in his bid in 1878. His election and that of John Fraser were protested, and both men resigned only to be re-elected in a by-election in November 1878.

Thompson was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1885 and served until 1891 when he resigned to run for the House of Commons. He tried to return to the House of Assembly in 1895, but was not elected until 1899. He served until 1902 when he was appointed to the Senate, succeeding L. B. Snowball. He became an important influence for the Liberal Party in the Senate. He was survived by four children: Sadie, wife of H. LeRoy of Montréal; Alexander, who ran the New Brunswick Telephone Company; Margaret, who married Edward Winslow of Victoria; and Hannah Pickard, who married Francis B. Gregory who later became a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia.