Charles Towneley possessed considerable skill, both as a draughtsman and as an engraver. In authorship, his only public appearance was as the writer of a dissertation on a relic of antiquity (the ‘Ribchester Helmet’), printed in the Vetusta Monumenta.
He was a learned, genial, and benevolent man. His intense love of ancient art did not blind his eyes to things beyond art, and above it. The impulses of the collector did not obstruct the duties of the citizen. He was a good landlord; a generous friend. It may be said of him, with literal truth, that he restricted his personal indulgences in order that he might the more abundantly minister to the wants of others.
Charles Towneley was buried at Burnley. The following inscription was placed upon his monument:
M. S.
Caroli Towneleii,
viri ornati, modesti,
nobilitate stirpis, amænitate ingenii, suavitate morum,
insignis;
qui omnium bonarum artium, præsertim Græcarum,
spectator elegantissimus, æstimator acerrimus, judex peritissimus,