Expanding Horizons

Sir John Rupert Hunt Thouron, CBE, KBE

1907-2007

The son of a British mother and an American father, Sir John was raised in England. As a young man he moved to Scotland, and upon the outbreak of World War II he enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders. He was later commissioned in the Black Watch. He served as a paratrooper and later a member of the Special Allied Airborne Reconnaissance Force. His marriage to Esther Driver du Pont brought him to live in the countryside of southeastern Pennsylvania, where over decades he developed extensive English-style gardens at the couple’s estate, Doe Run. An acclaimed horticulturalist, he produced a clear yellow lily called Clivia Sir John Thouron that was put on the market only when the commercial nursery agreed to donate some of the profits to the Thouron Award. His lifelong contributions to British-American relations were recognized when he was knighted aboard the royal yacht Britannia on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth II’s 1976 visit for the bicentennial of American independence.

Esther Driver du Pont Thouron, Lady Thouron

1908-1984

“Essie” Thouron, born in Delaware, was a member of the Du Pont family of American industrialists. A noted philanthropist and horse breeder, she helped build the clinic and hospital at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s New Bolton Center. In 1967 Penn awarded her an honorary Doctorate of Humanities in recognition of her generous support of the British-American educational exchange.

John Julius Thouron

1934-2006

“Tiger” Thouron, Sir John’s son, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was a dedicated sportsman and conservationist who received the Order of the British Empire in 2003 in recognition of his more than 30 years of service to the Thouron Award. Exuberant and outgoing, he brought a new energy to the program; it was under his stewardship that its mission broadened beyond academia to include the lifelong fellowship, personal connections and international community that characterize it today.

John Rupert Thouron

Rupert, Tiger’s son, was born in Miami, Florida and spent his childhood in England. A business executive, fly fisherman and avid sailor, he is vice chairman of the Thouron Award executive and selection committees. With his wife Jan, Rupert oversees the Thouron Prize, an undergraduate summer scholarship program. They live in Vermont, where the Thouron family hosts an annual week-long ski holiday for Scholars – whether they ski or not.

Rachel Thouron Vere Nicoll

Tiger’s daughter was born and spent her childhood in England. A former teacher – and current tutor – she is a board member of the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, Virginia. Besides serving on the British and American selection committees, Rachel is actively connected to the Thouron Community year-round: she is in charge of alumni relations, maintaining close ties with many former Scholars, and welcoming each year’s students to explore the scenic and historic Virginia countryside where she lives with her family.

Emily and Hannah Vere Nicoll

Sir John’s great-granddaughters – Rachel’s daughters – have active careers in theater and film. Both hold dual U.K./U.S. citizenship and are involved in the Thouron selection interviews in London and in Philadelphia.