[1] Born in Deptford, in the south eastern suburbs of London, Townsend was the son of an auctioneer and estate agent in the neighbouring town of Greenwich.
[1][2] In 1857 he was approached by the Liberals to run in the general election of that year in opposition to one of the sitting members of parliament for Greenwich, Montague Chambers.
Townsend was only approached two days before nominations for the election were made, but was very well known in the area, and easily defeated Chambers.
[1][4] He returned to the stage in an attempt to pay off his creditors, playing leading roles in a number of London theatres where was billed as "John Townsend, MP".
They formed the "Townsend Family Star Dramatic Troupe" and toured Canada and the United States.