She lived in Dorset with her long-term partner, Valentine Ackland, in the early 20th Century and was a trailblazer for lesbian visibility and acceptance at a time when same-sex relationships defied societal expectations.
She was a prolific writer and poet whose works included Lolly Willowes, The Corner That Held Them and Kingdoms of Elfin.
The £60,000 life-size statue depicts her sitting on a public bench, with a cat at her feet – a reference to Townsend Warner’s love of felines.
The installation encountered a number of setbacks involving site restrictions, a sewage pipe and heavy rain.
Anya Pearson, of Visible Women, who also led the Mary Anning project, said she was relieved to see the project completed.
“There’s not a guidebook on how to raise statues,” she said.
“This is on a really busy shopping street at the busiest time of year. It’s been much more stressful than Mary.”