Background
He was the son of Bonnell Thornton and studied at Trinity College, Cambridge.
He was the son of Bonnell Thornton and studied at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Inspired by Thomas Martyn"s lectures on botany and the work of Linnaeus he switched from the church to medicine. He worked at Guy"s Hospital in London, where he later lectured in medical botany. After spending some time abroad, he settled and practised in London.
Thornton died in destitution.