William Townshend (16 November 1849 – 19 July 1923) was an English first-class cricketer and clergyman. The son of Edward Dupré Townshend, he was born in British India at Sehore in November 1849. He was educated in England at Rossall School, before going up to Brasenose College, Oxford where he graduated B.A. in 1872 and M.A. in 1879. After leaving Oxford he became a priest in the Church of England. He was the rector of Thurlaston in Leicestershire in 1880. Townshend died in Leicestershire at Kirkby Mallory in July 1923.