Family and Education

b. 5 June 1708, 4th s. of Charles, 2nd Visct. Townshend, and bro. of Hon. Charles, Thomas and William Townshend. educ. Eton. unm.

Offices Held

Cornet 4 Hussars 1726; capt. 3 Drag. Gds. 1729; capt. and lt.-col. 1 Ft. Gds. 1741, a.-d.-c. to the King at Dettingen 1743; gov. Yarmouth castle 1745-d.; receiver gen. of customs 1748-d.

Biography

Townshend voted with the Opposition in his first Parliament but thereafter with the Administration. Originally returned on his family’s interest at Yarmouth, he transferred in 1747 to Lord Cornwallis’s pocket borough of Eye, vacating his seat next year on being appointed to an office disqualifying him from the House of Commons. He died 7 Aug. 1760.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Romney R. Sedgwick

Notes