Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend, was appointed Secretary of State for the Northern Department by George I of Great Britain in September 1714. He was the de facto leader of this Whig administration as Northern Secretary until 1717, when he was demoted to Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in favour of the first Stanhope–Sunderland ministry, after being outmanoeuvered by his rival Whigs. This Whig Split would last until 1720.