Person    | Male  Born 1/10/1737  Died 3/1/1805

Charles Townley

Categories: Museums / Libraries

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.

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:
Charles Townley

Commemorated ati

Charles Townley

Greater London Council Charles Townley, 1737 - 1805, antiquary and collector...

Read More

Other Subjects

Thomas Grenville

Thomas Grenville

Bibliophile and politician. He was commissioned briefly in the Coldstream Guards, and served as a member of parliament from 1780 to 1810. He started collecting books from an early age, and by his d...

Person, Armed Forces, Museums / Libraries, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Henry E. Poole

Henry E. Poole

Secretary to the Commissioners for the 1892 Westminster Public Library. Became librarian in Great Smith Street in March 1881 and went on to be employed by Westminster City Council as a branch libra...

Person, Museums / Libraries, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
St Bride Foundation Institute

St Bride Foundation Institute

Established to meet the educational, cultural and social needs of a community working within the burgeoning print industry of the Victorian era.  The Londonphile has visited and photographed the in...

Group, Journalism / Publishing, Museums / Libraries, Theatre

1 memorial
Victoria & Albert Museum

Victoria & Albert Museum

The South Kensington Museum opened on this site in 1857. It expanded and was renamed the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1899. A further expansion by Aston Webb opened in 1909. Also see Francis Fow...

Building, Museums / Libraries

4 memorials
William Alfred Westropp Foyle

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...

Person, Commerce, Museums / Libraries

1 memorial