Francis Townsend | |
|---|---|
 Townsend c. 1939 | |
| Born | Francis Everett Townsend January 13, 1867 Fairbury, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | September 1, 1960 (aged 93) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Burial place | Woodlawn Memorial Park, Compton, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Omaha Medical College |
| Occupation(s) | Physician, public health officer |
| Known for | Townsend Plan |
| Spouse | Wilhelmina "Minnie" Bogue |
Francis Everett Townsend (/ˈtaʊnzənd/; January 13, 1867 – September 1, 1960) was an American physician and political activist in California. In 1933, he devised an old-age pension scheme to help alleviate the Great Depression. Known as the "Townsend Plan", this proposal would pay every person over age 60 $200 per month, with the requirement it all be spent quickly. It was never enacted but the popularity of the Plan influenced Congress to start the Social Security system, which involved much smaller amounts. The Plan was organized by real estate salesman Robert Clements, who made Townsend only a figurehead while the Plan expanded to thousands of clubs in many states. Townsend was born just outside Fairbury, Illinois, where he is memorialized by a post office named in his honor.