Family and Education

b. 26 Sept. 1736,1 3rd s. of Hon. Thomas Townshend, and bro. of Thomas Townshend.  educ. Eton 1748-53. unm.

Offices Held

Ensign 2 Ft. Gds. 1755; capt. 5 Ft. 1758; capt.-lt. 1 Ft. Gds. and lt.-col. 1762.

Biography

Townshend was returned for Eye on the interest of Charles, Earl Cornwallis who was married to Elizabeth, the sister of Thomas Townshend, senior; vacated his seat when Cornwallis’s eldest son Charles, Viscount Brome came of age, 31 Dec. 1759; and was again returned on the death of Henry Cornwallis, 2nd son of Lord Cornwallis.

He was wounded at Minden, 1 Aug. 1759; and killed at Wilhelmstal, 24 June 1762. Henry, 10th Earl of Pembroke, wrote to Chase Price from Gudensberg, 29 Oct. 1762:2

Poor Harry Townshend being killed prevented my feeling any joy at our success. His company was in the Foot Guards, who, betwixt you and I, I am afraid, went off rather early in the day. My poor friend Harry would not submit to follow them, but went to the Grenadiers of the line, who behaved like angels. With them he was shot through the body.

George Hardinge, who was with him at Eton, described him as ‘very handsome, very good-natured, clever, and spirited; in short, a noble creature’.3

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Sir Lewis Namier

Notes

• 1. Gent. Mag. 1736, p. 552.
• 2. Price mss in possession of the Marquess of Salisbury.
• 3. Nichols, Lit. Anecs. viii. 544.