Thursfield was born in Kidderminster and educated at Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood and Corpus Christi College, Oxford, where he obtained a first-class degree in Literae Humaniores in 1863.
[1] After leaving Oxford, Thursfield was appointed by Thomas Chenery, editor of The Times, as a leader writer.
He lectured on naval strategy to the Staff College, Camberley and the Royal United Service Institution.
Fisher regarded Thursfield as "a great student of naval affairs", saying that his articles were "close and precisely reasoned, unadulterated by vituperation".
Prince Louis of Battenberg, who served for a time as director of naval intelligence, praised Thursfield for never being afraid to state a contrary view.