Papers of Robert Thorpe, socialist

Biographical information, draft publications and notes; Documents relating to George Durham.

Robert Thorpe (1905-1996) was born in London, the son of Charles Ernest Thorpe and Norah Sullivan. In 1916 Thorpe won a scholarship (coming third out of one hundred in the scholarship examination) which enabled him to receive secondary schooling at St Bonaventure's Catholic School, West Ham. On leaving school in 1922 he took a post as a clerk at Ellermans, a leading shipping company, where he remained for the rest of his working life (retiring as Chief Accountant). Thorpe continued to educate himself by attending Workers' Educational Association (WEA) evening classes and eventually the London School of Economics, as a part-time student, graduating with a 2/1 in 1931.

The rise of fascism during the 1930s caused Bob Thorpe to move politically from the socialists to the Communist Party, but by 1938 he had become disillusioned by the Stalinist purges and 'show trials' and left the CPGB. He remained a Trotskyist all his life.

This collection is available to researchers by appointment at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick. See https://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/using/

Link to full catalogue: https://mrc-catalogue.warwick.ac.uk/records/RBT

Stephen Thorpe (son)