Linn Banks received a private education and studied law at the College of William & Mary. He was admitted to the Virginia bar in 1809 and served in the War of 1812. Banks resumed legal practice, led the local Virginia Militia, and was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, serving from 1812 to 1838. He also served as Speaker of the House from 1817 to 1838 and was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1838, serving until 1841. After losing a special election, he resumed legal practice, managing estates and enslaved labor.

Linn Banks's political career reveals an intriguing blend of regional loyalty and ideological flexibility, particularly in his legislative record. His long tenure in the Virginia House of Delegates and U.S. House of Representatives suggests a deep commitment to local governance, yet his unexpected alliances on certain issues hint at a highly strategic approach. Banks's personal history, including his military service and legal career, underscores a pragmatic yet principled stance, though the specifics of his policy positions remain elusive. This combination of local focus and strategic alliances invites deeper inquiry into how he balanced regional interests with broader national concerns.