Peter Thompson was born in Peterborough. He studied composition with Carey Blyton at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In 1983, his String Quartet no 1 won first prize in the MidNAG national composition competition.

Since that date, his music has been widely performed, often at London’s South Bank and other cultural centres. His music has also been broadcast, notably on Classic FM, and is available on CD from Fand Music Recordings.

In 1995 he was a prizewinner in the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) International Composers’ Competition, and in 1996 he won the competition.

In 2014 his Cello Sonatina was featured on the Sleeveless Records label by cellist Lionel Handy and pianist Nigel Clayton on their CD, From Bohemia to Wessex.