BROTHERS IN ARMS:
FRANK AND EDWARD THOMPSON
Keywords:
E. P. Thompson, Frank Thompson, BrotherhoodAbstract
This article explores the profound influence of William Frank Thompson on the intellectual and political trajectory of his younger brother, the historian E. P. Thompson. Through an analysis of Frank's personal writings—letters, poems, and diaries, primarily from the Second World War—the text reconstructs his anti-fascist values and worldview. Parallels are drawn between the brothers' experiences and texts, highlighting shared themes such as historical responsibility and hope. It is argued that Frank's capture and execution in 1944 was a formative event for E. P. Thompson, whose subsequent intellectual and militant legacy is seen as a continuation of his older brother's ideals.
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