George Townshend

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Townshend, George (1724–1807) 1st Marquis Townshend, lord lieutenant 1767–72, responsible for the overthrow of the undertaker system. By the 1760s there was growing concern at the power of these Irish managers, recently displayed in the money bill dispute, and resentment of their increasing demands. Events in America also highlighted the need for effective control of overseas possessions. nevertheless, it now appears, that Townshend's initial instructions were only to secure an increas (‘augmentation’), from 12,000 to 15,000, in the size of the Irish army. It was the leading undertakers, John Ponsonby and the 2nd earl of Shannon (see boyle), who initiated the wider conflict, by demanding too high a price for supporting the augmentation. When this was refused they organized the rejection, first of the augmentation bill, and then (21 Nov. 1769) of a money bill. In response Townshend, aided by his able chief secretary George Macartney, initiated what was to be a new system of management, whereby a permanently resident lord lieutenant took direct responsibility for building up a ‘Castle party’ in the Irish parliament. The division of the Revenue Board into separate customs and excise divisions, implemented by king's letter after parliament had rejected the scheme, further increased the lord lieutenant's patronage, and destroyed an important independent power base. Although Townshend saw himself as overturning a system of aristocratic corruption, the pattern of parliamentary management was modified rather than reformed. In effect Dublin Castle became the principal undertaker, continuing to offer powerful parliamentary figures (including, from 1772, a rehabilitated Shannon) favour and influence in exchange for their support. But the transition from Irish intermediaries to direct management by an English lord lieutenant and chief secretary nevertheless contributed sigificantly to the growth of patriot sentiment evident during the 1770s.

Townshend, George (1724–1807). George Townshend, elder brother of Charles, had a distinguished military and political career. An army officer, he was second in command to Wolfe in Canada and took over when Wolfe was killed. He succeeded as viscount in 1764 and from 1767 to 1772 was lord-lieutenant of Ireland. During this time he tried to free the castle from the undertaker system and made important concessions to the Irish Parliament. On his return, he was master of the ordnance throughout the rest of North's ministry and held the post again in 1783 under the coalition. He was out of office after 1784 though he became marquis in 1786 and was promoted field marshal in 1796. His brother was a brilliant mimic: George Townshend was an equally brilliant amateur caricaturist.

J. A. Cannon

Townshend, George (1724–1807). George Townshend, elder brother of Charles, had a distinguished military and political career. He was second in command to Wolfe in Canada and took over when Wolfe was killed. He succeeded as viscount in 1764 and from 1767 to 1772 was lord‐lieutenant of Ireland. On his return, he was master of the ordnance throughout the rest of North's ministry and held the post again in 1783 under the coalition. He was out of office after 1784, though he was promoted field marshal in 1796.