Thompson was born in Devlin, Ontario, Canada, as the second child of William and Gertrude Thompson. The younger years of his life were split between Lauderdale Farm in Rosedale and Chilliwack, British Columbia. Since Chilliwack Senior Secondary School was not easily accessible from the farm, he and his sister, Jean, boarded with Grace Baldwin and her family on Williams Street in Chilliwack. At school he was influenced by Principal Harry Fraser, who taught and encouraged young Homer in his pursuit of Latin. Homer\'s father, who had also studied the classics before becoming a farmer, encouraged his son as well.\n', '

At the young age of 15, Thompson graduated from Chiliwack High School. He enrolled to study the classics at the University of British Columbia, as well as becoming a member of the track team, the business manager for Student Publications, and the president of the Classics Club. Thompson focused on Latin, and earned his B.A. with honours in only three years. He stayed to continue his studies and in 1927 received his M.A. with first-class honours. At this time he was only 19 years old and became the youngest classics professor in Canada. Thompson chose archaeology for his doctoral studies, and in a highly unusual two years, was awarded his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.\n', '

Soon after completing his doctorate, Thompson was awarded a three-year fellowship of $4,500 by the American School of Classical Studies in Greece to assist on excavations. He was to work primarily at Corinth but also in the agora in Athens. After spending some time in working in Athens, he became passionate about the Athenian agora and the possible work to be done there; it would become the focus of his career.\n', '

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