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.

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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...

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David Copperfield Children's Library

David Copperfield Children's Library

Founded by the American Rev. J. Brett Langstaff.  The picture is from 1947. The New York Times, 19 March 1922 carries a letter reporting on a performance of a play for the benefit of this library....

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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
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
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
King Edward the Seventh's Galleries

King Edward the Seventh's Galleries

An extension to the British Museum by the architect Sir John James Burnett.

Building, Museums / Libraries

1 memorial