Townley, James (1)

an English clergyman and educator, was born in London in 1715. He was educated at the Merchant Tailors School, and thence elected to St. John's College, Oxford. Soon after taking orders he was chosen morning preacher at Lincoln's Inn Chapel, and lecturer of St. Dunstan's in the East. Through the patronage of lady Spencer, to whom his wife was related, he obtained the living of St. Bennett, Gracechurch, London; and afterwards became grammar master to Christ's Hospital. In 1759 he was chosen high master of the Merchant Tailors School, and in 1777 was presented to a living in Wales by bishop Shipley, to whom he was chaplain. He died July 15, 1778.

Besides his High Life Below Stairs, a farce (Lond. 1759, 8vo);False Concord, a farce, (1764, unsuccessful and not printed). The Tutor, a farce (1765, 4to, unsuccessful), he published seven single Sermons (1741-69, each 4to). See Chalmers, Biog. Dict. s.v.; Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.