Edison Reginald Townsend was born July 23, 1917 in Schieffelin, Marshall Territory, Liberia . His early education took place in Brewerville, Liberia, and at Liberia College High School. He attended Liberia College in Monrovia (now the University of Liberia ) from 1940-1943, before studying in the United States, first at American University from 1950-1952 and later at Michigan State University from 1952-1953, where he received an M.A. After completing his studies, Townsend began working as a journalist. In 1954, he was designated Press Secretary to President William V.S. Tubman . He went on to become Chief of the Bureau, later known as the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism . When William R. Tolbert was appointed President of Liberia, he named Townsend Minister of State for Presidential Affairs. Townsend is best known as the man who built Liberia 's Information Service . Because of his efforts, Liberia gained its first broadcasting and television system. He also developed the local press. On April 12, 1980, President Tolbert was overthrown and executed by militants headed by Samuel Doe . Before the end of the month, all of Tolbert's cabinet ministers, including E. Reginald Townsend, were sentenced to death and shot by firing squad on a beach near Monrovia .
Evelyn Diggs Townsend was born November 15, 1932 . After her mother died at a young age, Evelyn was raised by her aunt, who sent her to London for her schooling. Upon returning to Liberia, she worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she cooperated with the United Nations and assisted in bringing the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union ) to Monrovia in 1979 . After her husband was killed by rebel forces led by Samuel Doe following the 1980 coup, Evelyn raised their eight children while remaining very active in the efforts of Inter-Faith and Churches United for Peace, as well as several women’s groups. While carrying out her work in these organizations, Evelyn and her associates visited several locations that others feared were too risky to travel to, speaking with leaders of rebel groups in an attempt to gain peace. They also traveled to Abuja, Accra and Akosombo for peace talks and conferences. Evelyn Townsend worked for Liberian peace until her death on December 4, 2004 . A testimony to her unyielding commitment to achieving a lasting peace in Liberia, she once stated, “Attaining peace is a process; it’s not an event. The guns ceased, but we have to create the mechanism for peaceful growth; maintaining the peace is the responsibility of every citizen."
From the guide to the E. Reginald Townsend, and, Evelyn Diggs Townsend, Papers, 1905-2002, (Liberian Collections http://www.onliberia.org)
