Career
In 1737 Thistlethwaite fled to Boulogne after being accused of making homosexual advances towards a student, William French, whose tutor John Swinton was also accused of homosexual practices. Satirical poetry was written about these events. The following limerick possibly also refers to Thistlethwayte.
Well did the am"rous sone of Wadham
Insure their house "gainst future flame;
They knew their crime, the crime of Sodom,
And judg"d their punishment the same.
