Thomas Townshend (MP)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thomas Townshend (2 June 170121 May 1780), was a long-standing British Member of Parliament.

Townshend was the second son of Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend, from his first marriage to the Hon. Elizabeth Pelham. Charles Townshend, 3rd Viscount Townshend, William Townshend and Roger Townshend were his brothers while George Townshend, 1st Marquess Townshend, Charles Townshend and Charles Townshend, 1st Baron Bayning, his nephews. He was educated at Eton, and King's College, Cambridge. In 1722 he was elected to the House of Commons for Winchelsea, a seat he held until 1727, and then represented Cambridge University from 1727 to 1774. He was also for some years private secretary to his father as well as a Teller of the Exchequer between 1727 and 1780.

Townshend married Albinia, daughter of John Selwyn, in 1730. Their son Thomas became a prominent politician and was created Viscount Sydney in 1789. Albinia died in 1739. Townshend survived her by over 40 years and died in May 1780, aged 78.


Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by
Robert Bristow
George Bubb
Member of Parliament for Winchelsea
with Robert Bristow

1722–1727
Succeeded by
Robert Bristow
John Scrope
Preceded by
Dixie Windsor
Thomas Willoughby
Member of Parliament for Cambridge University
with Edward Finch 1727–1768
Charles Yorke 1768–1770
William de Grey 1770–1771
Richard Croftes 1771–1774

1727–1774
Succeeded by
Richard Croftes
Marquess of Granby
Political offices
Preceded by
George Treby
Teller of the Exchequer
1727–1766
Succeeded by
John Jeffreys Pratt

[edit] See also

[edit] References