Jules Thorn
Encyclopedia
Sir Jules Thorn was the founder of Thorn Electrical Industries
, one of the United Kingdom
's largest electrical businesses.
to Jewish parents, Jules Thorn was conscripted into the Austrian Army during World War I
. After the War he studied at the Handelshochschule (Business School) in Vienna
.
He then moved to the United Kingdom
as representative for an Austria
n lamp manufacturer. In 1926 the business got into financial difficulties and he chose to set up business on his own trading as the Electric Lamp Service Company. In 1936 he diversified into manufacturing and expanded the company into one of the largest electrical businesses in the Country. He was knighted in 1964.
He was also a successful racehorse owner and won the 2,000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket
with High Top in 1972.
Sir Jules was a noted philanthropist supporting many medical, educational, artistic and humanitarian charities and endeavours. A large number of legal and medical scholarships as well as museums carry his name. His work and vision is continued through the Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust, chaired until recently by his daughter Ann Rylands.
Only in 1976 did he retire as Chairman of the business. He died in Westminster
on 12 December 1980.
THORN Electrical Industries
Thorn Electrical Industries, Limited was an electrical engineering business. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange but it merged with EMI Group to form Thorn EMI in 1979...
, one of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's largest electrical businesses.
Career
Born in ViennaVienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
to Jewish parents, Jules Thorn was conscripted into the Austrian Army during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. After the War he studied at the Handelshochschule (Business School) in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
.
He then moved to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
as representative for an Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n lamp manufacturer. In 1926 the business got into financial difficulties and he chose to set up business on his own trading as the Electric Lamp Service Company. In 1936 he diversified into manufacturing and expanded the company into one of the largest electrical businesses in the Country. He was knighted in 1964.
He was also a successful racehorse owner and won the 2,000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket
Newmarket Racecourse
The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping...
with High Top in 1972.
Sir Jules was a noted philanthropist supporting many medical, educational, artistic and humanitarian charities and endeavours. A large number of legal and medical scholarships as well as museums carry his name. His work and vision is continued through the Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust, chaired until recently by his daughter Ann Rylands.
Only in 1976 did he retire as Chairman of the business. He died in Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
on 12 December 1980.