Author: TOWNSHEND, Thomas
Biography:
TOWNSHEND, Thomas (1732/3-1800: ODNB)
Bolesworth-Castle, a Poem. Inscribed to Mrs. Crewe, published anonymously in Chester in 1777, has been attributed to Thomas Townshend who is therefore identified in some catalogues as Thomas Townshend “of Cheshire.” If the attribution is correct, however, it refers to the politician Thomas Townshend who was not in fact “of Cheshire” but only a visitor there. The poem is a graceful but conventional thankyou to his hostess Frances (Greville) Crewe (1748-1818). The politician is not known to have ventured into verse at any other time, and it is possible that the attribution is incorrect. Townshend was born on 24 Feb. 1732/3 and was baptised in Westminster, London, on 23 Mar., the eldest son of Thomas Townshend (1701-80) and his wife Albina (or Albinia) Selwyn, who had married at her father’s seat of Danfell, Kent, in 1730. He was educated at Eton and at Clare College, Cambridge (matric. 1750, MA 1753). The family was immensely wealthy and well connected. On 19 May 1760 he married Elizabeth Powys (1736-1826) at St. George’s, Hanover Square, London; they had twelve children together. Townshend began his political career as MP in 1754, performed well in debate but vacillated somewhat in his allegiances. He was arguably most influential during his years in opposition (1768-1782). Among the honours and responsibilities that came his way were positions as Lord of the Treasury (1765), Secretary at War (1782), and Home Secretary (1783). He was raised to the peerage as Baron Sydney in 1783 and Viscount Sydney in 1789. On the death of his father in 1780 Townshend inherited the family estate of Frognal House near Chislehurst, Kent, where he died on 30 June 1800 and was buried on 3 July. (ODNB 5 Sept. 2024; ancestry.com 5 Sept 2024; findmypast.com 5 Sept 2024; ACAD) HJ