James Thorpe (academic)

James Thorpe (1915-1992) was a prominent American scholar of English literature and a university administrator. He is best known for his work on the theory and practice of textual criticism and bibliography, as well as his contributions to the organization and professionalization of literary studies.

Thorpe received his PhD from Harvard University and subsequently taught at Princeton University and ultimately at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). At UCLA, he served as professor of English and later as the Director of the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, a significant research library specializing in English literature and history from 1640 to 1750.

Thorpe’s scholarly publications include The Theory of Textual Criticism (1949), which offered a synthesis of existing methodologies and a defense of reasoned eclecticism in establishing authoritative texts. This work was influential in shaping subsequent discussions about textual scholarship. He also wrote extensively on the role of libraries in research and scholarship.

Beyond his academic writings, Thorpe played a key role in establishing professional standards for literary scholars. He served as the Executive Secretary of the Modern Language Association (MLA) from 1956 to 1963. In this position, he oversaw the MLA's expansion and its increasing involvement in advocating for the interests of humanities scholars.

Thorpe's contributions to the field extended to academic administration. After leaving the MLA, he became a Senior Research Associate at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California. He remained active in research and continued to contribute to discussions on the future of the humanities. His work impacted the study of textual criticism, the development of research libraries, and the professionalization of literary studies in the mid-20th century.