Career
Born near Clinton, South Carolina, Griffin pursued an academic course. He engaged as a planter. He served in the State house of representatives 1816–1819.
Griffin was elected as a Nullifier to the Twenty-second through Twenty-fifth Congresses and reelected as a Democrat to the Twenty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1831 – March 3, 1841).
He died near Clinton, South Carolina, August 1, 1841. He was interred in Little River Church Cemetery.