Early Life and Education of Abigail Thorn: A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 12, 2026

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Abigail Thorn. From birth to education, explore key events.

Abigail Thorn is a British actress, writer, and prominent YouTube creator, best known for her channel Philosophy Tube. Since launching the channel in 2013, she has gained widespread acclaim for producing high-quality, theatrical video essays that explore complex philosophical, political, and social issues. In 2021, Thorn publicly came out as a transgender woman, a transition she documented through her work, which significantly amplified her platform and impact as an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Beyond her online presence, she has established a career in traditional acting, appearing in stage productions such as 'The Prince' and television series like 'Django.' Thorn is recognized for her ability to bridge the gap between academic philosophy and accessible digital entertainment, using her platform to challenge systemic inequality and promote progressive social discourse. Her multifaceted career highlights her influence as both a creative storyteller and a dedicated voice for trans advocacy within the modern cultural landscape.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

April 1993: Birth of Abigail Thorn

Abigail Thorn was born in April 1993 in England, eventually becoming a prominent YouTuber, actress, and playwright.

Others born on this day/year

2015: Graduation from University of St. Andrews

In 2015, Abigail Thorn graduated from the University of St. Andrews with a Scottish Master of Arts in Philosophy, achieving the top ranking in her year.

2016: Participation in YouTube NextUp

In 2016, Abigail Thorn participated in YouTube NextUp, which was an intensive week-long training program designed specifically for content creators who had fewer than 100,000 subscribers at the time.

2017: Completion of Acting Training

During 2017, Thorn completed her training at the East 15 Acting School, earning a Master of Arts degree awarded by the University of Essex.

2018: Release of Suic!de and Ment@l He@lth

In 2018, Abigail Thorn released the video titled Suic!de and Ment@l He@lth, which provided an examination of societal perspectives on mental health and shared her own experiences with self-harm and suicide attempts.

2018: Shift in Content Creation Strategy

In 2018, Abigail Thorn underwent a significant transformation in her creative process, transitioning to filming in a professional studio environment while incorporating costumes, makeup, props like snakes and horses, characters, and music. This shift in 2018 was fueled by her experiences at the 2018 VidCon conference, the influence of the ContraPoints channel, and her departure from an abusive relationship.

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October 2019: Coming out as bisexual

In October 2019, Abigail Thorn publicly shared her sexuality in her YouTube video titled 'Queer', where she officially came out as bisexual.

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January 2021: Public Coming Out as Transgender

In January 2021, Abigail Thorn publicly announced that she is a transgender woman through the release of two distinct projects: the video titled Coming Out As Trans – A Little Public Statement and the theatrical piece Identity: A Trans Coming Out Story.

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January 2021: Coming out as a trans woman

On 30 January 2021, Abigail Thorn publicly announced her transition and came out as a trans woman.

January 2021: Abigail Thorn comes out as a trans woman

On 30 January 2021, Abigail Thorn publicly announced her transition as a trans woman through a social media statement and an accompanying video titled Coming Out As Trans – A Little Public Statement. This event served as a feminist and anticapitalist appeal advocating for the legal rights, physical autonomy, and liberation of trans individuals in the United Kingdom, while also highlighting systemic issues such as healthcare barriers, media fearmongering, and the lack of transgender political representation.

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2021: BBC Interview Regarding Gender Transition

In 2021, Abigail Thorn participated in an interview with Ben Hunte for the BBC where she openly discussed the anxiety surrounding the public announcement of her transition. She expressed the feeling that keeping her transition private was no longer sustainable and reflected on the internal conflict she experienced while presenting as a man prior to transitioning.