Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend
The Viscount Townshend | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Townshend attributed to Charles Jervas, c. 1724, dressed in Garter robes (National Portrait Gallery) | |
| 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 Raynham Hall, Norfolk, Kingdom of England |
| Died | 21 June 1738 (aged 64) Raynham Hall, Norfolk, England, Kingdom of Great Britain |
| 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 |
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 turnips and his role in the British Agricultural Revolution.