Francis Newton Thorpe (1857–1926) was an American legal scholar, historian, political scientist, and Professor of Constitutional History at the University of Pennsylvania.

Francis Newton Thorpe was born in the town of Swampscott, Massachusetts on April 16, 1857.

[1] Describing the scholar's personal life, the Book News added that "In addition to his varied literary interests Mr. Thorpe, like many other sane people is fond of outdoor life and spends half of the year at his summer home... entertaining his friends... on a beautiful estate... called Indian Arrow Vineyards, on Lake Erie.

"[4] Thorpe also owned a winter home in Mount Holly, NJ.

[6][7] Thorpe served as chief editor of the History of North America Project conducted by the University of Pennsylvania and wrote or edited several scholarly books: In addition to his scholarly work, Thorpe also contributed to Harper's Magazine.