Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend
The Viscount Townshend | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Townshend attributed to Charles Jervas, c. 1724, dressed in Garter robes (National Portrait Gallery) | |
| Secretary of State for the Northern Department | |
| In office 21 February 1721 – 16 May 1730 | |
| Monarch | George I |
| Prime Minister | Robert Walpole |
| Preceded by | The Earl Stanhope |
| Succeeded by | Baron Harrington |
| Lord President of the Council | |
| In office 11 June 1720 – 25 June 1721 | |
| Monarch | George I |
| Preceded by | The Duke of Kingston-upon-Hull |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Carleton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 April 1674 |
| Died | 21 June 1738 (aged 64) Raynham Hall, Norfolk, England |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Pelham Dorothy Walpole |
| Children | 12, including Charles, Thomas, William, Roger, George, and Edward |
| Parent |
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| Education | Eton College |
| Alma mater | King's College, Cambridge |
| Known for | inventing the 4 crop rotation method |
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Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend, KG PC FRS(/ˈtaʊnzənd/; 18 April 1674 – 21 June 1738) was a British Whig statesman. From 1714 to 1717, and again from 1721 to 1730, he served as Secretary of State for the Northern Department. He directed British foreign policy in close collaboration with his brother-in-law, prime minister Robert Walpole. He was often known as Turnip Townshend because of his strong interest in farming field turnips and his role in the British Agricultural Revolution.