John Brown Thorp [also known as John B. Thorp] was born in Brighton, Sussex, England in 1862 and was articled to Frederick Nesbitt Kemp (1849-1939) in London. He also attended the Royal Academy Schools in London. He commenced independent practice as an architect in London in 1883. Thorp was also a modelmaker and founded Thorp Modelmakers [later renamed Thorp Architectural Presentations], a firm that specialises in making architectural models and dioramas.
Thorp's address was given as 98, Gray's Inn Road, Holborn, London in 1914 and 1939. He died at 20 Abinger Road, Bedford Park, Chiswick, London on 26 June 1939.
Worked out and constructed models of various portions of Old London, first exhibited at Franco-British Exhibition, 1908, afterwards purchased by London Museum for permanent exhibition at Lancaster House; also Model of Whitehall In the reign of Charles the First, presented to the Royal United Service institution, and Tower of London, A.D. 1600, presented to the London Museum.
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 2: L-Z. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001