Questions and Answers
What was the occupation of Jeremy Thorpe's father, John Henry Thorpe?
Which school did Jeremy Thorpe attend after Limpsfield School?
Which nickname was given to Jeremy Thorpe at Eton?
What was a notable aspect of Jeremy Thorpe's ancestry?
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Who was Jeremy Thorpe's mother, Ursula Norton-Griffiths, related to?
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In which year was Jeremy Thorpe elected as the leader of the Liberal Party?
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What position did Jeremy Thorpe hold in Parliament?
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Which major electoral system did Thorpe's party experience a setback under after the 1974 elections?
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What led to the decline of Jeremy Thorpe's political career?
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Jeremy Thorpe was acquitted of charges related to which individual?
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What disease did Jeremy Thorpe struggle with during his later years?
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Where was Jeremy Thorpe born?
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What was the political background of Jeremy Thorpe’s family?
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What notable political event occurred for the Liberal Party in February 1974?
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During his long retirement, what did Thorpe eventually gain from a later generation of leaders?
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Study Notes
Biography of Jeremy Thorpe
- John Jeremy Thorpe lived from April 29, 1929, to December 4, 2014.
- Served as MP for North Devon from 1959 to 1979.
- Leader of the Liberal Party from 1967 to 1976.
- Acquitted in May 1979 on conspiracy and incitement charges related to ex-boyfriend Norman Scott.
- Political career ended due to scandal and public controversy.
- Comes from a family of Conservative MPs, making his alignment with the Liberal Party noteworthy.
- Studied law at Oxford University; rose as a prominent figure in the Liberal Party during the 1950s.
- Achieved party leadership at age 38 and led the Liberals through a successful electoral period.
- The February 1974 election marked the peak of his political career, with the Liberal Party receiving 6 million votes but only obtaining 14 seats due to the first-past-the-post system.
- Negotiated potential coalition with Conservative PM Edward Heath, but electoral reform was rejected, leading to Labour's minority government.
- Resigned as party leader in May 1976 amid growing murder plot rumors regarding Norman Scott.
- Chose not to testify during the court proceedings in 1979 to avoid cross-examination, resulting in discreditation.
- Suffered from Parkinson's Disease in the 1980s but regained respect from a new generation of Liberal leaders by the time of his death.
Family Background and Early Childhood
- Born in South Kensington, London, with a lineage dating back to the 14th century.
- Father, John Henry Thorpe, was Conservative MP for Manchester Rusholme from 1919-1923.
- Mother, Ursula Norton-Griffiths, was the daughter of Sir John Norton-Griffiths, an imperialist figure known as "Empire Jack."
- Ancestry includes soldiers under Cromwell during the reconquest of Ireland.
- Thorpe's great-grandfather served as a Dublin police superintendent; his grandfather was Archdeacon of Macclesfield.
Education
- Attended Cothill House in Oxfordshire, starting in 1938, and then Limpsfield School.
- Family relocated to the U.S. during WWII due to invasion threats but returned to England in 1943.
- Enrolled at Eton in September 1943; performed mediocrity academically and was less engaged in sports.
- Nicknamed "Oily Thorpe" for perceived opportunism and social climbing, despite an interest in music that he ultimately abandoned.
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Description
Explore the life and political career of John Jeremy Thorpe, a prominent British politician and Liberal Party leader. Discover his tenure as MP for North Devon, his controversial trial in 1979, and the impact of his actions on his legacy. This quiz will test your knowledge of key events and milestones in his life.
