William N. Thompson is professor emeritus of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He earned a doctorate in Political Science from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1972. Before arriving at UNLV in 1980, Thompson taught at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan from 1971 to 1980. He also taught abroad at Troy State University's European campuses from 1986 to 1987. His research explores administrative behavior, political economy, public regulation of gaming, and ethics.

David Browning Thomson was born on October 5, 1927, in Irving, Kansas. David married Patricia Ann on December 27, 1953, and they have three children: Debra Ann Beeson, Barbara Kay Emery, and David Browning Thomson II.

Thomson obtained a bachelor of science degree in physics, a master of science degree in physics, and a doctor of philosophy degree in physics from the University of Kansas, in Lawrence, Kansas.