Person    | Male  Born 20/4/1798  Died 25/2/1868

Chauncy Hare Townshend

Collector, dilettante, ordained clergyman, mesmerist, and hypochondriac (list from Wikipedia). Born Godalming into a wealthy family.

Famous for his 1821 meeting with the poet John Clare (whom he initially mistook for a highwayman), reported in 'The life of John Clare' by Martin Frederick, 1865. Friend of Charles Dickens.

Due to health concerns he spent much of his time living in Lausanne or travelling and collecting. Died Norfolk Street, now Dunraven Street W1. He had no children and was separated from his wife in 1843. Under his will his collections went to what is now the V&A Museum and the Wisbech museum, and to found the school with the plaque.

We puzzled over Wikipedia's judgemental designation of him as a hypochondriac, but then we found that in 1840 in his 'Descriptive Tour of Scotland' he cheerfully applies that term to himself: "The secret which I have to tell you, is this (come a little closer, if you please): I am a decided hypochondriac." For anyone interested in CHT, or in Scotland, this looks like an entertaining read.

Note: the OxfordDNB has him born on the 20th; Wikipedia, the 10th.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Chauncy Hare Townshend

Commemorated ati

Chauncy Hare Townshend Schools

The Chauncy Hare Townshend Schools The Baroness Burdett-Coutts, the Revd. Tho...

Read More

Other Subjects

Pennsylvania Library Association

Pennsylvania Library Association

The Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) is the state's oldest and most diverse professional library organization serving libraries, library employees, library trustees, and Friends of the Libra...

Group, Literature, Museums / Libraries, USA

1 memorial
Museum of London / London Museum

Museum of London / London Museum

One of their responsibilities is all the archaeology in London, run by MOLA. 2024: As part of its move from the London Wall site to Smithfield the Museum of London rebranded as the London Museum. ...

Group, History, Museums / Libraries

4 memorials
Thomas Park F.S.A.

Thomas Park F.S.A.

"The poetical antiquary", bibliographer and engraver. He published his own verse but mainly he edited historical and literary works. Father of John James Park.

Person, History, Literature, Museums / Libraries

1 memorial
Thomas Layton

Thomas Layton

Councillor for over 50 years and was Chairman of the Brentford Local Board from 1876 and first Chairman of the Brentford Urban District Council in 1894. FSA, Chairman Brentford Library Committee. ...

Person, Museums / Libraries, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Cecil Sharp

Cecil Sharp

Collector of English folk-songs and dances. Born Denmark Hill. Spent 1882 - 92 in Australia. Developed an interest in English folk-music in 1899 and began his prolific collection which later expand...

Person, Dance, Museums / Libraries, Music / songs, Australia

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Chelsea Firefighters

Chelsea Firefighters

SW3, King’s Road, 264, Chelsea Fire Station

This plaque is in the same style as others erected by Firemen Remembered, although they are not acknowledged on the plaque itself.

Civilian war dead | WW2
14 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Alderman Jack Gillett
1 memorial
Gatti family

Gatti family

Swiss-Italian family.  Restaurateurs, music hall, theatre and electricity supply entrepreneurs. Four generations of note, all born in Dongio, Val di Blenio, Ticino, Switzerland: Carlo; Agostino (18...

Group, Commerce, Food & Drink, Theatre, Switzerland

1 memorial