Townshend, Thomas (1733-1800)

British politician.

Member of Parliament (1754-83). Lord of the Treasury (1765-67). Member of the Privy Council (1767). Joint paymaster general (1767-68). Secretary at War under Rockingham (1782). Secretary of the Home Office (1783-89).

Created Baron Sydney (1783); became Viscount Sydney (1789).

Educated at Cambridge. Married Elizabeth Powys (1760); twelve children.