Background
He was the only son of John Thorpe of Rochester, by his wife Elizabeth, daughter of John Woodhouse of Shobdon, Herefordshire. After some study of medicine he abandoned it, and, like his father, concentrated on antiquarian research.
He was the only son of John Thorpe of Rochester, by his wife Elizabeth, daughter of John Woodhouse of Shobdon, Herefordshire. After some study of medicine he abandoned it, and, like his father, concentrated on antiquarian research.
He was educated at Ludsdown, Kent, under Samuel Thornton, and matriculated at University College, Oxford, on 22 March 1732, graduating Bachelor of Arts in 1735 and Master of Arts
In 1738. In 1755 he was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. Thorpe was twice married. She died on 10 January 1789, leaving two daughters, Catharine and Ethelinda.