William Townesend

William Townesend of Oxford (1676–1739) was a 17th/ 18th century British sculptor, architect and builder associated with several important British buildings.

Radcliffe Library (Bodleian Library) in Oxford

His masterpiece is the Radcliffe Library in Oxford, completed by his son.

Life
Grand Bridge, Blenheim
The Column of Victory, Blenheim Palace

He was baptised at St Giles's Church, Oxford on 17 December 1676, the son of John Townesend the Elder (1648-1728), who was a prominent mason who served as Mayor of Oxford in 1720/1. John's wife was Elizabeth Morrell (d.1726) and William was one of four children.[1] His father was one of the main masons working on Blenheim Palace and nicknamed "Old Pincher". Townesend's eldest son, John Townesend the Younger (d.1742), was also a stonemason, with a yard in London, his most noteworthy structures being St Mary-le-Strand and the Mansion House, London.[2]

William was apprenticed to his father and would have become a Freeman mason around 1690. By 1704 he was "college mason" to Christ Church, Oxford.[3]

He died in Oxford on 22 September 1739. He is thought to be buried in the family plot in St Giles Churchyard in Oxford. His will was read on 5 October 1739, and is held in the National Archives at Kew.[4]

Family

He was married to Mary around 1703.

Their son John (1709-1746) was also a stonemason and sculptor. Following his father's death in 1739 John completed the Radcliffe Library.

Architectural works

Monuments

References
  1. "Collection: Archive of the Townesend family | Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts".
  2. ODNB: William Townesend
  3. Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851 by Rupert Gunnis p.400
  4. "Will of William Townesend, Mason of Oxford, Oxfordshire".
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