A graduate of Harvard in 1760, Hooper studied law under the popular attorney in Boston James Otis, settling in Wilmington, North Carolina. He represented Wilmington in the general assembly of 1773, and in 1774 was elected to the Continental Congress. After the Revolution Hooper returned to his law profession but fell out of favor with the public because of his political positions. Politically, Hooper supported the Federalist Party because of his political connections, his disdain for the lower class, and his soft dealings with Loyalists of Britain.

Source:
https://freemasoninformation.com/masonic-education/famous/united-states-masonic-founding-fathers/