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Lot Essay
Thomas Townshend, Baron Sydney and 1st Viscount Sydney, was a distinguished politician and is best known for being the namesake of Australia's city of Sydney. In 1788, the British sailed into Sydney Harbor and named the city after the Secretary of State for Home Affairs and the Colonies of Britain. Townshend served in this post from 1782 to 1789.
Townshend was the eldest son of Thomas Townshend, M.P. for the University of Cambridge, and his wife Albinia Selwyn. He married, on 19 May 1769, Elizabeth, daughter and co-heiress of Richard Powys of Hintlesham, Suffolk. He was created, 6 March 1783, Baron Sydney of Chislehurst, Kent, and 19 June 1789, Viscount Sydney of St Leonards, Gloucester.
Townshend held numerous distinguished political posts including MP for Whitchurch, Hampshire, Joint Paymaster-General of the Forces, 1767-68, and Secretary at War, 1782. He was also President of the Committee of Trade, 1784-86, and President of the Board of Control, 1790-91.
CAPTION: Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney, by James Sayers, 1784, courtesy of The National Portrait Gallery, London
Townshend was the eldest son of Thomas Townshend, M.P. for the University of Cambridge, and his wife Albinia Selwyn. He married, on 19 May 1769, Elizabeth, daughter and co-heiress of Richard Powys of Hintlesham, Suffolk. He was created, 6 March 1783, Baron Sydney of Chislehurst, Kent, and 19 June 1789, Viscount Sydney of St Leonards, Gloucester.
Townshend held numerous distinguished political posts including MP for Whitchurch, Hampshire, Joint Paymaster-General of the Forces, 1767-68, and Secretary at War, 1782. He was also President of the Committee of Trade, 1784-86, and President of the Board of Control, 1790-91.
CAPTION: Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney, by James Sayers, 1784, courtesy of The National Portrait Gallery, London