Randolph Thrower graduated from Georgia Military Academy and earned both an undergraduate and law degree from Emory University. He began his career in law with Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, eventually becoming a partner. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Marines and the FBI. Thrower later served as Commissioner of Internal Revenue, where he revoked the tax-exempt status of private schools that excluded black students and opposed the misuse of the IRS for political purposes. He received numerous awards for his contributions to civil rights and ethics, including the American Bar Association Medal and the Segal-Tweed Founders Award.

Randolph Thrower's political identity is marked by a blend of principled rigidity and strategic flexibility. His advocacy for desegregation in private schools by revoking their tax-exempt status if they excluded black students showcases a firm stance on civil rights. Yet, his legislative drafting and opposition to the misuse of the IRS for political purposes reveal an unexpected alignment with fiscal conservatives, suggesting a calculated approach to policymaking. Thrower's career also includes a notable defense of a death row inmate, highlighting his commitment to justice, even when it contradicts prevailing norms.