Jules Thorn

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Sir Jules Thorn (6 February 1899 – 12 December 1980) was the founder of Thorn Electrical Industries, one of the United Kingdom's largest electrical businesses.

Career

Born in Vienna to Jewish parents, Jules Thorn was conscripted into the Austrian Army during World War I.[1] After the War he studied at the Handelshochschule (Business School) in Vienna.[1]

He then moved to the United Kingdom as representative for an Austrian lamp manufacturer.[1] In 1926 the business got into financial difficulties and he chose to set up business on his own trading as the Electric Lamp Service Company.[1] In 1936 he diversified into manufacturing and expanded the company into one of the largest electrical businesses in the Country.[1] He was knighted in 1964.[2]

He was also a successful racehorse owner and won the 2,000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket with High Top in 1972.[3]

Sir Jules was a noted philanthropist supporting many medical, educational, artistic and humanitarian charities and endeavours. A large number of legal and medical scholarships as well as museums carry his name. His work and vision is continued through the Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust, chaired until recently by his daughter Ann Rylands.[4]

Only in 1976 did he retire as Chairman of the business.[1] He died in Westminster on 12 December 1980.[1]

Family

In 1928 he married Dorothy Olive Tanner and together they went on to have one son and one daughter.[1] He married a second time, to Jean Norfolk, in 1971.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Jules Thorn at Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
  2. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 43250. p. 1563. 18 February 1964. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  3. ↑ Racing Better
  4. ↑ Jules Thorn Charitable Trust


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