Background
Townshend was the younger son of George Townshend, 1st Marquess Townshend, by his second wife Anne, daughter of Sir William Montgomery, 1st Baronet.
Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom
Townshend was the younger son of George Townshend, 1st Marquess Townshend, by his second wife Anne, daughter of Sir William Montgomery, 1st Baronet.
He was the nephew of Charles Townshend and the half-brother of George Townshend, 2nd Marquess Townshend, Lord John Townshend and Lord Charles Townshend. Townshend was a Captain in the Royal Navy. He was also appointed a captain in the Norfolk Rangers of Yeomanry Cavalry on 18 April 1831.
In 1818 he was returned to parliament as one of two representative for Helston, a constituency mainly controlled by his brother-in-law, the Duke of Leeds.
He lost his seat in 1832 when the representation was reduced to one member, but was once again elected in 1835. This time he held the seat until 1837.
He died in June 1842, aged 56.
Conservative Party, Tories.
6th United Kingdom Parliament. 7th United Kingdom Parliament. 8th United Kingdom Parliament.
9th United Kingdom Parliament.
10th United Kingdom Parliament. 12th United Kingdom Parliament.