He attended Durham School and Peterhouse, Cambridge University, obtaining a B.A.
In 1795, he became rector of Ryton, and he is buried in the vault of the church there.
His youngest son Charles Thorp also became rector of Ryton and was a founder of Durham University.
Another son, George Thorp, became first lieutenant of the frigate HMS Terpsichore soon after turning 19 years-of-age and was killed six months later alongside his captain, Richard Bowen, during the assault on Santa Cruz, Tenerife, led by Nelson, on 25 July 1797.
He was author of Excerpta quædam e Newtoni Principiis Philosophiæ Naturalis, 1765 and translated Newton's Principia.