Antiquary and collector.
Born Lancashire. Although he never married there are letters making it clear that this was not for lack of interest in the ladies. His collection of antiquaries was freely available for viewing and became renowned, being recommended in the Rough Guides of the day. There is a painting by Zoffany of Townley surrounded by his collection in the library at the house that he had built at what is now 14 Queen Anne's Gate. This is where he died. Much of his collection went to the, relatively new, British Museum, of which he had been a trustee.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Charles Townley
Commemorated ati
Charles Townley
Greater London Council Charles Townley, 1737 - 1805, antiquary and collector...
Other Subjects
William Ralston Shedden-Ralston
Born York Terrace, Regent’s Park. His strange name seems to be the result of his father's near-illegitimacy and subsequent extensive litigation. Librarian, folklorist and Russian scholar. He gra...
1 memorial
Robert Gordon McHarg III
Opened the Subway Gallery in 2006.
1 memorial
1 memorial
William Alfred Westropp Foyle
Founded Foyles Bookshop in 1903. Born Shoreditch, the 7th child of a 7th child of a 7th child. William and brother Gilbert opened their first bookshop in Islington, moved to Peckham and then Ceci...
1 memorial
Frederic David Mocatta
Tycoon and philantropist. Born London into a Jewish family who came to England from Spain in the 1650s. Married but childless. Worked in the family gold-dealing business until 1874 when he gave ...
1 memorial
Previously viewed
O'Neill's
Chain of Irish themed public houses. The first was opened in Aberdeeen and there are currently (2013) forty-nine outlets.
1 memorial
Robin Waterston
Pilot. Born Robin McGregor Waterston in Edinburgh. He joined 603 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force at Turnhouse in 1937, and was called to full-time service on August 24th 1939. Shot down over Woolwich...
1 memorial
Holy Trinity Church, Prince Consort Road
The church moved here at the end of the 19th century from a Knightsbridge site, where the French Embassy now is. The British Library have a wonderful zoomable street-scape showing Knightsbridge w...
1 memorial
John Nost the Elder / John van Nost
Born Mechelen, now in Belgium. Moved to England in late 17th century. His nephew, John Nost the Younger, carried on the business, and indeed we are not certain which one created the Geffrye statue....
3 memorials
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