Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend
(1675-1738), Statesman and agriculturalistLater 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.
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
oil on canvas, 1704?
NPG 3623
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
mezzotint, early 18th century
NPG D4492
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
stipple engraving, early 19th century
NPG D27420
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