Thomas Townshend (MP)

Thomas Townshend (2 June 1701 – 21 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.

ee also

*Marquess Townshend

References

*Stephen, Sir Leslie; Lee, Sir Sidney (editors). "The Dictionary of National Biography - From the Earliest Times to 1900: Volume XIX, Stow-Tytler." Oxford University Press.
* [http://www.angeltowns.com/town/peerage/ Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page]
* [http://www.thepeerage.com/ www.thepeerage.com]