[2] A direct descendant of Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, Townsend was born on October 6, 1918, in Garden City, New York.

After graduating, he attended Williams College and the University of Virginia Law School.

[5] In 1952, he served as an alternate delegate the 1952 Republican National Convention, and was instrumental in the nomination of Dwight D.

During his tenure, he was one of the five white representatives who voted to seat Julian Bond in the state legislature in 1966.

During his years serving in the Georgia House, he supported abortion rights and legal prostitution.