Charles Townshend
(1725-1767), Whig politician; Chancellor of the ExchequerEarly Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 8 portraits
Second son of Charles, 3rd Viscount Townshend. He served as MP for Yarmouth, 1747-61, and then for Harwich. He served as lord of the admiralty, 1754-5, and as secretary-at-war, 1761. He refused to join Grenville's administration and went into opposition. He became paymaster in 1765 and chancellor of exchequer in Chatham's ministry in 1766, but opposed his India policy and 'pledged himself to find a revenue in America', 1767; and established commissioners of customs in America and port duties, but did not live to see results. Brilliant but capricious and impetuous, he suffered from ill health and died relatively young.
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