Henry Adams Thompson began his career in academia, graduating from Jefferson College in 1858 before embarking on a series of teaching and administrative roles in higher education. He served as a professor at multiple institutions, including Western College and Westfield College, and later became superintendent of schools in Troy, Ohio. Thompson's educational leadership culminated in his election as president of Otterbein University, a position he held from 1872 until 1886, during which he navigated the institution through financial challenges. He also contributed to the field of historical and archaeological research, participating in the World's Columbian Exposition and publishing works on religious history.

Henry Adams Thompson's political identity is marked by an unwavering commitment to temperance and prohibition, aligning with the Prohibition Party's anti-alcohol stance while maintaining fiscal prudence. His tenure as president of Otterbein University showcases a unique blend of educational leadership and financial stewardship, especially during the economic turmoil of the 1870s. Thompson's ideological journey from the Republican Party to the Prohibition Party highlights a calculated shift towards a more socially conservative platform, revealing a strategic alignment with moral reform movements.