Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Viscount Sydney PC
Portrait attributed to the American painter Gilbert Stuart, c. 1785
Home Secretary
In office 23 December 1783 – 5 June 1789
Monarch	George III
Prime Minister	William Pitt the Younger
Preceded by	The Earl Temple
Succeeded by	The Lord Grenville
In office 10 July 1782 – 2 April 1783
Monarch	George III
Prime Minister	The Earl of Shelburne
Preceded by	The Earl of Shelburne
Succeeded by	Lord North
Justice in Eyre south of the Trent
In office 19 June 1789 – 30 June 1800
Preceded by	Fletcher Norton, 1st Baron Grantley
Succeeded by	Thomas Grenville
President of the Board of Control
In office 4 September 1784 – 6 March 1790
Prime Minister	William Pitt the Younger
Preceded by	New Office
Succeeded by	William Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville
Leader of the House of Lords
In office December 1783 – June 1789
Prime Minister	William Pitt the Younger
Preceded by	George Nugent-Temple-Grenville, 1st Marquess of Buckingham
Succeeded by	Francis Osborne, 5th Duke of Leeds
President of the Committee on Trade and Foreign Plantations
In office 5 March 1784 – 23 August 1786
Monarch	George III
Prime Minister	William Pitt the Younger
Preceded by	The Lord Grantham (First Lord of Trade)
Succeeded by	The Earl of Liverpool (President of the Board of Trade)
Leader of the House of Commons
In office 10 July 1782 – 6 March 1783
Prime Minister	William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne
Preceded by	Charles James Fox
Succeeded by	Charles James Fox
Secretary at War
In office 1782–1782
Prime Minister	Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham
Preceded by	Charles Jenkinson
Succeeded by	George Yonge
Paymaster of the Forces
In office 9 December 1767 – 17 June 1768
Monarch	George III of the United Kingdom
Preceded by	Frederick North, Lord North George Cooke (died 1768)
Succeeded by	Richard Rigby
Member of Parliament for Whitchurch
In office 1754–1783
Preceded by	Charles Wallop Lord Robert Bertie
Succeeded by	George Brodrick, 4th Viscount Midleton William Selwyn (MP for Whitchurch)
Personal details
Born	(1733-02-24)24 February 1733 Raynham, Norfolk, England
Died	30 June 1800(1800-06-30) (aged 67) Sidcup, Kent, England
Political party	Whig
Spouse	Elizabeth Powys (1736–1826)
Alma mater	Clare College, Cambridge

Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney (born February 24, 1733 – died June 30, 1800) was an important British politician. He was a member of the House of Commons from 1754 to 1783. After that, he became a Baron and joined the House of Lords. He held several key government jobs in the late 1700s. Two cities, Sydney in Canada and Sydney in Australia, were named in his honor.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Townshend was born in Raynham, Norfolk, England. His father was Thomas Townshend. His grandfather was Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend, who was known as "Turnip" Townshend for his new farming ideas. Thomas went to Clare College, Cambridge for his education.

Political Career and Key Roles

Thomas Townshend became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Whitchurch in 1754. He held this seat in the House of Commons until 1783. He started his career supporting some politicians. Later, he joined others who disagreed with the government.

He held several important positions:

• Clerk of the Household to the Prince of Wales (1756–1760)
• Clerk of the Green Cloth (1761–1762)
• Lord of the Treasury (1765–1767)
• Joint-Paymaster of the Forces (1767–1768)

Townshend often spoke out against the American Revolutionary War in the House of Commons. He believed the war was unnecessary. In 1782, he became Secretary at War. Then, when Lord Shelburne became Prime Minister, Townshend took over as Home Secretary. He also became the Leader of the House of Commons.

Planning New Settlements

As Home Secretary, Townshend worked on plans for new British settlements. One plan involved attacking Spanish areas in South America. He asked Captain Arthur Phillip for help with this. Phillip's plan was to send ships to attack Buenos Aires and Monte Video. The ships would then go to Chile, Peru, and Mexico. Finally, they would cross the Pacific to attack Manila in the Philippines.

This expedition started in January 1783. However, a peace agreement was made between Britain and Spain soon after. Phillip then took his ship, the Europe, to India. After returning to England, Phillip stayed in touch with Townshend.

Becoming Lord Sydney

In March 1783, Townshend was made a Baron. This meant he joined the House of Lords. He chose the title Baron Sydney. He wanted to honor his relative, Algernon Sidney, who was known for opposing royal power.

He disagreed with the Fox-North government. He returned to power with William Pitt the Younger. He served as Home Secretary again from 1783 to 1789.

Naming of Sydney, Nova Scotia

In Canada, the city of Sydney, Nova Scotia, was founded in 1785. It was named after Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney. He was the Home Secretary at the time. Lord Sydney had appointed Colonel Joseph Frederick Wallet DesBarres as the governor of the new colony of Cape Breton Island.

Naming of Sydney, Australia

After Britain lost its Thirteen Colonies in America, Lord Sydney was in charge of finding a new place for convicts. He chose Botany Bay in Australia. He also chose Arthur Phillip to be the Governor. Phillip's strong leadership helped the new settlement survive its difficult early years.

On January 26, 1788, Governor Phillip named Sydney Cove after Lord Sydney. This settlement later became known as Sydney Town. In 1789, Townshend was given an even higher title, Viscount Sydney.

Lord Sydney was seen as the "Originator of the Plan of Colonization for New South Wales." He believed in giving convicts a chance to improve their lives. He thought they could become useful members of society. He also believed the new colony could bring economic benefits to Britain.

Sydney made sure the new colony had a fair legal system. Governor Phillip's second commission in 1787 gave him power over a civil government, not just a military one. This meant the people in New South Wales had the same rights as people in England. Slavery was also illegal there.

Personal Life

Lord Sydney married Elizabeth Powys in 1760. He passed away in June 1800 at the age of 67. His son, John, took over his titles. Lord Sydney was buried in the Scadbury chapel in Chislehurst, London. His wife, Elizabeth, died in 1826 at 90 years old.

Their daughter, Mary, married John Pitt, 2nd Earl of Chatham. They did not have any children.

Legacy and Recognition

Some historians have not always seen Lord Sydney in a positive light. However, by the standards of his time, he was a forward-thinking politician. He did not support the American Revolution and thought the war was pointless.

As Home Secretary, he helped develop Canada. He also helped settle refugees who fled the American Revolution. The city of Sydney, Nova Scotia is named after him because of his efforts for these loyal settlers. In 1784, streets in Cornwall, Ontario were named Pitt Street and Sydney Street to honor the Prime Minister and Lord Sydney.

In 1986, Australia honored Lord Sydney on a postage stamp. In 1992, a monument to him and the First Fleet was unveiled in Sydney Square, Australia. Queen Elizabeth II was there for the ceremony.

More recently, historians have looked at Lord Sydney's reputation again. They see him as someone who believed the British Empire could spread British freedoms. He thought convicts should have a chance to redeem themselves in places like New South Wales. Governor Phillip's famous statement, "There will be no slavery in a new country and hence no slaves," reflects Sydney's beliefs.

Timeline

• 1733, February 24: Born.
• 1754: Became a Member of Parliament for Whitchurch.
• 1756: Clerk of the household of the Prince of Wales.
• 1760, May 19: Married Elizabeth Powys.
• 1761, March 21: Became one of the clerks of the board of green cloth.
• 1765, July 12: Became the 4th Lord of the Treasury.
• 1767, December 23: Became Joint-Paymaster of the Forces and a member of the Privy Council.
• 1782, March 30: Became Secretary at War.
• 1782, July 10: Became Leader of the House of Commons and Home Secretary.
• 1783, March 6: Created Baron Sydney and joined the House of Lords.
• 1783, December 23: Became Home Secretary again under William Pitt the Younger.
• 1783: Became Leader of the House of Lords.
• 1784: Became the first President of the Board of Control for the British East India Company.
• 1784, March 5: Became President of the Committee on Trade and Foreign Plantations.
• 1785: Sydney in Nova Scotia, Canada, was named after him.
• 1788, January 26: Sydney Cove in New South Wales, Australia, was named after him.
• 1789: Elevated to 1st Viscount Sydney of Chislehurst, Kent.
• 1793: Deputy Lieutenant of Kent.
• 1800, June 30: Died at his home, Frognal House.

Images for kids

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  Frognal House by George Shepherd, from History of Kent (c. 1830).