Contents
Winston Churchill
Being a racist bigot and responsible for the orders that led to the Bengal famine of 1943, in which an estimated three million people died.
Second World War · Nobel Prize in Literature
- Born
- 30 November 1874
- Birthplace
- Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, England
- Died
- 24 January 1965
More people
Winston Churchill
A British politician, soldier and writer who served twice as prime minister. His career included leadership against Nazi Germany, major military and political setbacks, and a sustained defence of British imperial rule.
Early life
Blenheim family
Born to politician Lord Randolph Churchill and his American wife Jennie Jerome.
Military training
Attended Harrow and Sandhurst before joining the British Army in 1895.
Career
- 1890s–1900
Soldier to MP
Served overseas, reported on wars and entered Parliament in 1900.
- 1911–1915
Admiralty and Gallipoli
Led the Admiralty; lost the post after the failed Dardanelles operation he had championed.
- 1924–1929
Chancellor
Managed Britain's finances and returned the pound to the gold standard.
- 1940–1945
Wartime prime minister
Led Britain's government during the Allied fight against Nazi Germany.
- 1951–1955
Second premiership
Returned after six years in opposition, then retired as prime minister.
Writing & speeches
My Early Life
An account of his youth, military service and early adventures.
Wartime speeches
Parliamentary addresses urging resistance during Britain's military crisis.
Iron Curtain speech
Warned of Soviet influence across eastern Europe.
Nobel Prize in Literature
Recognised for historical writing, biography and oratory.
Beyond office
Family and painting
Married Clementine Hozier in 1908; they had five children. Painting became a lasting pastime.
Empire and India
Opposed greater Indian self-government in 1935 and argued against independence in 1947.
Bengal famine
Was prime minister during the 1943 famine; his government's response has been heavily criticised.
Sources & photo credit
Biographical reference ↗Nobel Prize: biography ↗Nobel Prize: award ↗Imperial War Museums: First World War guide ↗National Trust: colonial history research ↗National Churchill Museum: Their Finest Hour ↗University of Cambridge: the June 1940 address ↗Photo: Yousuf Karsh. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
.jpg){kind=link}