Robert John Thomson was born in Wimbledon, Surrey [now London], England on 30 September 1864 and was articled to Sir John Sulman (1849-1934) in London from 1881 to 1885. He also attended classes at the Architectural Association Schools in London. From 1885 he worked as an assistant to Edward Potts (1839-1909), William Edward Potts (1862-1932) and Arthur William Hennings (1857-1937) of Potts, Son & Hennings in London.
Thomson qualified as an architect in 1893 and commenced practice in Wimbledon that year. He was in partnership with A. G. Pomeroy as Thomson & Pomeroy from 1903 to 1909 and with John Stewart Thomson (1893-1957) from 1924 to 1937. He was Surveyor to the Wimbledon Licensing Bench from 1912 to 1937. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) in 1894 and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1906.
His address was given as 49, Hill Road, Wimbledon in 1894 and 1937; 19 Woodside, Wimbledon in 1906; and 12, Salisbury Road, Wimbledon in 1914. Hee died in Wimbledon on 2 [or 11 - sources differ] February 1937
Public Baths, Public Library, and Wesleyan Church, Wimbledon: the Weir Hospital, Balham. Blackfriars Branch of Imperial Tobacco Company; Clapham Omnibus Stables for Thomas Tilling, Ltd.; Acton Vale Motor Works for D. Napier & Son; Compton Lecture Hall, Wimbledon; Y.M.C.A. Institute. Wimbledon ; Wesleyan Institute, Wimbledon; Studios of the Anglo Engraving Company, Raynes Park; Dundonald Schools (Elementary), Wimbledon; 171, Strand, W.C.; Town Golf Club House, Wimbledon Common; Baptist Church. Mitcham, Surrey; " the Rose and Crown" Motor Garage, Wimbledon; 52 and 53. High Street, Wimbledon; " South View", Woking; "Woodlands", West Hill, Putney, S.W.; "Oldfield". Ditchllng, Sussex; "Hollywood House", Wimbledon Common; "Midgarth," Oxshott, Surrey: "Ivyhurst, Wimbledon; "Colliton Lodge", Wimbledon Common; "Ridgmount", Wimbledon; " Gildown," Wimbledon; Almshouses, Wimbledon Common,
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 2: L-Z. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001