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Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend

(1675-1738), Statesman and agriculturalist

Later Stuart Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 6 portraits
Charles Townshend entered politics as a young man. Despite being a very poor speaker, he led a distinguished career as a statesman and diplomat. He retired in 1730 and spent his last years at Raynham, his house in Norfolk, where he devoted himself to agricultural experiments. He was responsible for a number of innovations including the introduction of large-scale turnip cultivation into England, for which he gained the nickname 'Turnip Townshend'. His second wife, Dorothy, was the sister of the Whig prime minister Robert Walpole.

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Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 1363

Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend

by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, circa 1690
NPG 1363

Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG 3623

Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend

by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on canvas, 1704?
NPG 3623

Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend, attributed to Charles Jervas - NPG 1755

Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend

attributed to Charles Jervas
oil on canvas, circa 1724
NPG 1755

Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend, by John Simon, published by Edward Cooper, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D4492

Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend

by John Simon, published by Edward Cooper, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, early 18th century
NPG D4492

Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend, by John Simon, sold by Thomas Millward, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D4493

Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend

by John Simon, sold by Thomas Millward, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, early 18th century
NPG D4493

Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend, by Edward Harding, after William Nelson Gardiner - NPG D27420

Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend

by Edward Harding, after William Nelson Gardiner
stipple engraving, early 19th century
NPG D27420

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