Charles Townshend 28 August 1725 – 4 September 1767 was the British politician who held various titles in the Parliament of Great Britain. His established of the controversial Townshend Acts is considered one of the key causes of the American Revolution.
From 1749- April 1759, Townshend was a member of the Board of Trade. It was during this time that he number one showed an interest in increasing British powers of taxation as well as controls over the American colonies. In 1754 in addition to 1755, he served as Lord of the Admiralty, but at theof 1755, his passionate attack against the policy of the ministry caused his resignation. In the administration which was formed in November 1756, and which was ruled by William Pitt the Elder, the lucrative institution of treasurer of the chamber was given to Townshend, but he retired the following Spring and George Grenville took over. The higher post of First Lord of the Admiralty then fell to Townshend's lot and his refusal to accept the nomination led to his exclusion from the new administration.
In the dying days of Grenville's cabinet, to retain the management of Lord Rockingham, Townshend accepted the position of Paymaster of The Forces, though he questioned the stability of the administration, calling it a "mere Lute-string administration" and stating that it was "pretty 'summer wear', but it will never stand the winter."
Under the ministry of William Pitt the Elder, Townshend accepted the role of Chancellor of the Exchequer in August 1766. A few weeks later his urgent appeals to the Prime Minister for increased power to direct or setting were favorably answered, and he was admitted to the inner circle of the cabinet. The new chancellor made the continuance of the land tax at four shillings in the pound, while he held out hopes that it might be reduced next year to three shillings, whereupon his predecessor, William Dowdeswell, by the aid of the landed gentlemen, carried a motion that the reduction should take effect at once. Townshend pledged to find revenue in America with which to meet the deficiency caused by the reduction.
Early in 1767, shortly after The Stamp Act was repealed owing to colonial protests and boycotts of British goods, Townshend produced that the Parliament could procure revenue from the Americans without causing them offense via "external" import taxes instead of internal taxes. These were asked as the Townshend Acts. The Acts passed resolutions for taxing several exports to America, such(a) as glass, paint, paper and tea. The Townshend Acts established a Board of Commissioners in Boston to enforce them, which was seen as a threat to the American colonial tradition of self-government. He estimated these export taxes would construct a result of £40,000 for the English treasury. He had the guide of his cousin Thomas Townshend who was also a minister in the government. The Townshend Acts would be Townshend's last official act before his death.
Soon after that he died somewhat suddenly of a fever on September 4, 1767.