Elizabeth Townshend, Viscountess Sydney

Elizabeth Townshend, Viscountess Sydney, was born on 7 April 1736. She was the daughter of Richard Powys, Member of Parliament, and Lady Mary Brudenell, daughter of George Brudenell, the 3rd Earl of Cardigan. After the death of her father in 1743, her mother remarried Thomas Bowlby, also a Member of Parliament.

On 19 May 1760, Elizabeth married Thomas Townshend, who later became the 1st Viscount Sydney. The marriage produced twelve children, although several of these children died in infancy. Their children included Hon. Georgiana Townshend (1761–1835), Hon. Mary Elizabeth Townshend (1762–1821), who married General John Pitt, 2nd Earl of Chatham, John Thomas Townshend, who became the 2nd Viscount Sydney of St. Leonards (1764–1831), Hon. Frances Townshend (1772–1854), Hon. Henrietta Catherine Townshend (1773–1814), who married Charles Montagu-Scott, 4th Duke of Buccleuch, William Augustus Townshend (1776–1816), Sophia Charlotte (born 1777), Albinia Ann (1765–1770), Horatio George Townshend (1766–1773), and Frederick Roger (1770–1782).

From 1791 to 1818, Elizabeth served as a Lady of the Bedchamber to Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.

Her husband, Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney, died in June 1800 at the age of 67. He was succeeded by his son, John Thomas Townshend, who became the 2nd Viscount Sydney of St. Leonards. Elizabeth passed away on 1 May 1826 at the age of 90.