He attended lectures at the Albany Medical College in 1844–5 and 1845–6, and in 1846–7 at the University of Pennsylvania, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1847.

He was noted for his ability to awaken enthusiasm in the students, and offering free access to the books of his personal library.

Townsend died at the age of 43 on January 16, 1867, following a brief illness, described as follows: In December, 1866, after much fatigue in the performance of his duties at the college, he complained of langour and exhaustion, but not in a way to cause disquietude to his friends, till he was suddenly attacked with convulsions.

He then began to exhibit unmistakable signs of serous cerebral disorder, and soon fell into a state of stupor, which continued till he died at his home, No.

A post-mortem examination revealed the existence of two abscesses communicating with each other in the anterior lobe of the left cerebral hemisphere.

Townsend's character and legacy was expressed in the following by his peers: To understand what sort of man he was, ... an amiable and generous temper, he was always pleased to render services to his friends, at cost of personal sacrifice.

[5]Those who knew him speak of him as "a man of rare and singular beauty of character, gifted with a fine and genial temperament and the most cultivated tastes, endowed with almost feminine graces, yet with a robust and masculine understanding, he was one of the most polished gentlemen and one of the truest friends whom it was ever the fortune of his acquaintances to know.

In the truest sense of the term, he was a scholar, and while possessing the broadest learning in his profession, his exquisite tastes led him also into various fields of art, literature and science, so that his culture was as comprehensive as it was deep and elegant.