George Townshend, 7th Marquess Townshend

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George John Patrick Dominic Townshend, 7th Marquess Townshend DL (b. May 13, 1916), known as Viscount Raynham until 1921, is a British peer and businessman.

Townshend is the only son of John Townshend, 6th Marquess Townshend, and Gwladys Ethel Gwendolen Eugenie Sutherst. He notably served as Chairman of Anglia Television from 1958 to 1986. Having held his titles since the death of his father in 1921 Lord Townshend has held a peerage longer than any other peer presently alive. Only Charles St Clair 13th Lord Sinclair (b. 30 July 1768, succeeded 16 December 1775, d 30 March 1863), at 87 years, has ever held a title longer.

Lord Townshend married, firstly, Elizabeth Pamela Audrey Luby (d. 1989)[1], daughter of Thomas Luby, on 2 September 1939. They had three children:

  • Lady Carolyn Elizabeth Ann Townshend (b. 27 September 1940), married 1stly 1962 (divorced 1971), Antonio Capellini and had issue, one son (who has taken the name of Townshend).[2] She married 2ndly, in 1973 (annulled 1974)[2] Edgar Bronfman, Sr (b. 1929), a Canadian businessman.
  • Lady Joanna Agnes Townshend (b. 19 August 1943), married firstly in 1962 (divorced 1968), Jeremy Bradford and had issue, one son. She married secondly in 1978 (divorced 1984), James Morrisey. She married thirdly in 1991 Christian Marc Boegnor.[2]
  • Charles George Townshend, Viscount Raynham (b. 26 September 1945), married 1975 Hermione Ponsonby (1945- 1985, died in a motor accident), daughter of Lt. Cmdr. Robert Martin Dominic Ponsonby, RN, of the earls of Bessborough, by whom he had issue, 1 son (b. 1977)[3] and 1 daughter. Viscount Raynham has remarried in 1990 Alison Marshall, nee Combs, d. of Sir Willis Ide Combs, KCVO, CMG.[4][2]
    • Hon. Thomas Charles Townshend (b. 1977)[5]
    • Hon. Louise Elizabeth Townshend (b. 1979)[2]

After he and his first wife were divorced in 1960, Townshend married, secondly, Ann Frances Darlow (d. 1988)[1], daughter of Arthur Pellow Darlow, on 22 December 1960. They had two children:

  • Lord John Townshend (b. 17 June 1962); married September 1987[4] (div. 1991), Rachel Lucy Chapple, d. of Field Marshal Sir John Lyon Chapple, GCB, KBE, now CBE, with apparently no issue.[2] He has remarried, with a son born 2003[6]
  • Lady Katherine Townshend (b. 29 September 1963), married 1991 (possibly divorced)[7] Piers W. Dent, with issue two daughters.[2]

Townshend married 3rdly 7 May 2004 (as her second husband) the former Philippa Sophia Swire (b. 28 April, 1935), former wife of Humphrey Roger Swire (1934-January 2004), of that landed family, and daughter of George Jardine Kidston-Montgomerie of Southannan (recognised in that name by Lyon Court 1948). His third wife is descended from a daughter of the 14th earl of Eglinton & Winton[8]


[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b Allan Freer. "Conqueror 89" from The Conqueror database.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Freer, ibid.
  3. ^ Debrett's Peerage & Baronetage, 2008
  4. ^ a b "The Raynham Family History. Chapter 15 "The Raynhams of Norfolk" The heir was also alleged to have had a son circa 1987 by the heiress Sarah Deterding, great-granddaughter of Henri Deterding, founder of Royal Dutch Shell; he admitted to a brief affair but refused paternity of the child.
  5. ^ Freer."Conqueror 86" from The Conqueror database, accessed 28 December 2007
  6. ^ Debrett's Peerage & Baronetage, 2008
  7. ^ A Piers W. Dent, son of Robin Dent, announced his engagement to another woman some years back.
  8. ^ Michael Rhodes, with correction by Michael Andrews-Reading (2004). " Aristocratic marriages, May, 2004", Usenet group alt.talk.royalty, message published 8 May 2004. The initial message read "The Marriage took place at Raynham Hall, Fakenham, Norfolk, 7 May, 2004, between George John Patrick Dominic Townshend, 7th Marquess Townshend (b. 13 May, 1916), son of the 6th Marquess Townshend (1866-1921), by his wife, Gladys Ethel Gwendolen Eugenie Sutherst (d. 1959), & Philippa Sophia (b. 28 April, 1935), former wife of Humphrey Roger Swire (1934-2004), of that landed family, and daughter of George Jardine Kidston-Montgomerie of Southannan (recognised in that name by Lyon Court 1948), by his wife, Lydia Cecilia Mason. The Marquess has been twice widowed. His bride is a scion of the Kidston of Redenham Park landed family, and is descended from the 14th Earl of Eglinton. Marchioness Townshend is mother of the Conservative MP Hugo Swire. Her first husband died in January, 2004." Andrews-Reading pointed out on 11 May 2004 that the Marquess's first marriage had ended in divorce, although that wife, mother of his elder son and heir, has since died.

[edit] References


Peerage of Great Britain
Preceded by
John Townshend		 Marquess Townshend
1921 – present		 Incumbent
Designated heir:
Charles Townshend
Order of precedence in the United Kingdom
Preceded by
The Most Hon. The Marquess
of Lansdowne		 Gentlemen
The Most Hon. The Marquess Townshend		 Succeeded by
The Most Hon. The Marquess
of Salisbury


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British marquesses*
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