Charles Townsend (fencer)
Encyclopedia
Charles Fitzhugh Townsend (April 1872 – December 11 1906) was an American
fencer
who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics
. He competed under the name Fitzhugh Townsend. It was known that Fitzhugh was his middle name and was thought for a long time that his first name was Charles. However his graduation program from Columbia University, his death announcement in the Columbia alumni newsletter, and his tombstone in the Trinity Cemetery in New York City all give his full name as Samuel George Fitzhugh Townsend.
Townsend was a graduate of Columbia University in New York City with a degree in Physics. After graduation, he became a professor at Columbia University teaching electrical engineering.
In 1904 he won the silver medal in team foil competition. He also competed in the individual foil event
but was eliminated in the first round. In the individual épée event
he finished fifth.
He died of typhus in 1906 and is buried in the Townsend family plot in Trinity Cemetery in New York City.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
fencer
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics
1904 Summer Olympics
The 1904 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the III Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States from 1 July 1904, to November 23, 1904, at what is now known as Francis Field on the campus of Washington University...
. He competed under the name Fitzhugh Townsend. It was known that Fitzhugh was his middle name and was thought for a long time that his first name was Charles. However his graduation program from Columbia University, his death announcement in the Columbia alumni newsletter, and his tombstone in the Trinity Cemetery in New York City all give his full name as Samuel George Fitzhugh Townsend.
Townsend was a graduate of Columbia University in New York City with a degree in Physics. After graduation, he became a professor at Columbia University teaching electrical engineering.
In 1904 he won the silver medal in team foil competition. He also competed in the individual foil event
Fencing at the 1904 Summer Olympics - Men's foil
The men's foil was a fencing event held as part of the fencing at the 1904 Summer Olympics programme. It was the third time the event was held at the Olympics. The competition was held on September 7, 1904.9 fencers from 3 nations competed.-Semifinals:...
but was eliminated in the first round. In the individual épée event
Fencing at the 1904 Summer Olympics - Men's épée
The men's épée was a fencing event held as part of the Fencing at the 1904 Summer Olympics programme. It was the second time the event was held at the Olympics. 5 fencers from 3 nations competed. The competition was held on September 7, 1904.-Final:...
he finished fifth.
He died of typhus in 1906 and is buried in the Townsend family plot in Trinity Cemetery in New York City.