Charles Thorp

The Ven Charles Thorp FRS
Warden of the University of Durham
In office 1832–1862
Preceded by	New creation
Succeeded by	The Very Revd George Waddington
Master of University College, Durham
In office 1832–1862
Preceded by	New creation
Succeeded by	The Revd Joseph Waite
Archdeacon of Durham
In office 1831–1862
Preceded by	Richard Prosser
Succeeded by	Edward Prest
Personal details
Born	13 October 1783 Gateshead, Durham
Died	10 October 1862 Durham
Alma mater	Peterhouse, Cambridge, University College, Oxford
Profession	Archdeacon and Warden

Charles Thorp (13 October 1783 – 10 October 1862) was an English churchman, rector of the parish of Ryton and, later, Archdeacon of Durham and the first warden of the University of Durham.

Life

He was born in Gateshead, Durham, the son of Robert Thorp, Archdeacon of Northumberland and educated at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle and Durham School. In 1799 he entered Peterhouse, Cambridge and then University College, Oxford, where he graduated BA (1803) and MA (1806). He became a Fellow and Tutor at University College, Oxford, in 1806, Deacon in 1806 and Priest in 1807.

He then became rector of Ryton in 1811, joining a prestigious group with previous rectors including Thomas Secker, later Archbishop of Canterbury. After his time as rector at Ryton, he became Canon (1829) and then Archdeacon of Durham in 1831 and, a year later, became the first warden of the University of Durham. Thorp remained heavily involved with the university, also being the first master, the most senior person in the SCR, of University College. This was a position he held until his death in Durham in 1862. He was buried at Ryton Church. He had married twice.

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in May, 1839.^[1]

His name was chosen as the identity of a new secondary school in West Gateshead in 2011, Charles Thorp Comprehensive School (now Thorp Academy), following the amalgamation of Hookergate School and Ryton Comprehensive School.

References

External links

•  "Thorp, Charles". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. 
• "Archdeacon Charles Thorp, Rector of Holy Cross Church, Ryton". iSee Gateshead. Retrieved 2003-03-04.