Philosophy Tube is a YouTube channel produced by the British actress Abigail Thorn (formerly Oliver Thorn; born 24 April 1993). It began in 2013, when Thorn sought to provide free lessons in philosophy in the wake of the 2012 increase in British tuition fees.
Since 2018, the channel has become more theatrical, and often makes use of dramatic studio sets, lighting, costuming and makeup. Philosophy Tube has been positively received by critics, and as of March 2021 the channel has around 900,000 subscribers. In 2019, Thorn hosted a livestream on Twitch in which she read plays from the Complete Works of Shakespeare for the mental health charity Samaritans. The stream lasted five days, featured a number of guests, and raised over £100,000 for Samaritans.
Thorn publicly came out as a transgender woman in January 2021, with the video Coming Out As Trans – A Little Public Statement and the more theatrical Identity: A Trans Coming Out Story.
Thorn is from Newcastle upon Tyne and has two older brothers. She attended the Royal Grammar School, where she was a member of an army cadets group. Taking Philosophy as an A-level alongside Biology and Chemistry, Thorn credits her discovery of the subject with her teacher. Thorn studied Philosophy and Theology at the University of St. Andrews, where she also participated in Mermaids and the St Andrews Revue. Thorn graduated with a first-class Scottish Master of Arts in Philosophy in 2015. She then trained at East 15 Acting School, completing a Master of Arts awarded by the University of Essex in 2017 before moving to London.
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Great channel Entertaining 50
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Great Channel Educational 50
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Unique and one of a kind 50
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