Merchant and shipowner. Had little formal education. Apprenticed to master of collier and became a mate at 17 and within 2 years was commander of a brig in the Meditteranean trade. Visited ships master in 1827 then almost annually from 1832 until 1842, buying property and seeking investments; settled in Sydney in 1843. Owned his own ship by 1832; In 1850s supplied new French colony at New Caledonia, collected coconut oil and turtle shell from Gilbert and Marshall Islands, and by 1856 had 10 whalers; shipping interests extended to Europe, the East and India. By 1855 had taken (Sir) Alexander Stuart as a partner, firm now styled R.Towns & Co. Director of Bank of New South Wales from 1850 until 1855, 1861 until 1867, president from 1853 until 1855, 1866 until 1867; director of Sydney Gold Escort Company in 1850s. By 1859 was a partner in 2 runs in Darling Downs and Moreton districts. In 1860s took up more land on the Darling Downs and other areas in Northern Queensland. Gave other pastoralists finance, foreclosed then often retained them as managers; by 1847 held 42 runs (almost 2,000 square miles), 94 runs in partnership with Stuart, and 60 with Stuart and (Sir) Charles Cowper by the end of the decade these properties were losing money. From early 1860s grew cotton in Queensland, using Melanesian labour but lost on the venture. Stocked stations on the Gulf of Carpentaria, founding Burketown in 1865; founded Townsville as an export outlet for products in 1865. Member of Committee of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce for many years. President from 1856 until 1857, 1863, 1865. Member of Pilot Board. Member of Committee of Sydney Bethel Union. Introduced labourers from England, Germany, India and China for his ventures. Early Member of Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.