Thomas Linton was born in England in 1818 and joined the police force early in life and rising through the ranks to become Chief Superintendent in April 1851 after the death of Richard Moxey that year. He married Jane Miller, and his daughter Annie Linton was born in 1852, the first of 7 children. He employed a servant from Caithness. (See Thomas Linton (born 1818) living in Newington, Midlothian in 1881)

The Forbes MacKenzie Act of 1853 introduced major reforms to drinking in Scotland and public houses were told to close at 10pm on weekdays and all day Sundays. The Edinburgh police were directed by Thomas Linton to crack down on drinking staking out well-known public houses and grocers who sold drinks. The effectiveness of this legislation was debated in parliament and Mr Linton was asked to give his evidence.

He started producing statistics on crimes, and the incidence of drunkenness reduced considerably after this legislation.

After leaving the police force, he lived at 5 North Charlotte Street and became a public prosecutor.

Thomas Linton died on the 19th of August 1892 aged 74 in the Police Chambers High Street Edinburgh of a heart attack. His death was registered by his son Frederick of 4 Assembly Street Leith.