George Alfred Townsend (1841-1914) was an American journalist, writer, and war correspondent renowned for his vivid accounts of the American Civil War and his dynamic storytelling. Born in Georgetown, Delaware, Townsend's early career was marked by his work as a newspaper reporter. His keen observational skills and narrative flair soon led him to become a prominent war correspondent during the Civil War, where he covered major battles and interviewed key figures, earning acclaim for his engaging and insightful reports.

Townsend's most famous work is "A Confederate Girl's Diary," a semi-autobiographical novel that captures the experiences of a Southern woman during the war. His writing, characterized by its attention to detail and emotive prose, provided readers with a unique perspective on the era's social and political climate. Townsend also wrote extensively for various periodicals, contributing articles and essays that reflected his keen political insights and literary prowess.

In 1865, Townsend was Washington correspondent for the New York World, covering the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and its aftermath. His daily reports filed between April 17 – May 17 were published later in 1865 as a book, The Life, Crime, and Capture of John Wilkes Booth, reprinted in 1977,[2] and published in audio version in 2009.

In addition to his journalistic and literary achievements, Townsend was a passionate advocate for social reform and a vocal critic of corruption and injustice. His diverse body of work and his contributions to American literature and journalism have left a lasting legacy, highlighting his role as a key observer and commentator of his time.