Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill in United Kingdom

History of the Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (1874 – 1965)

The following commentary about Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (1874 – 1965) in the Churchill Era is produced by the Churchill College (Cambridge): British soldier, author and politician.

Prime Minister 1940 – 1945, 1951 – 1955.

Eldest son of Lord Randolph Churchill. Served as a cavalry officer and war correspondent in Cuba, India, the Sudan and South Africa. Elected as Conservative MP for Borough of Oldham in 1900. Joined the Liberal Party in 1904, subsequently serving as MP for Manchester North-West (1906-1908) and Dundee (1908-1922). Entered the cabinet as President of the Board of Trade (1908 -1910), and subsequently served as Home Secretary (1910-1911), First Lord of the Admiralty (1911-1915), and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1915). He resigned from the government and briefly commanded a battalion on the Western Front in 1916. Brought back into the National Government by Lloyd George and served as Minister of Munitions (1917-1919), Secretary of State for War (1919-1921), and Secretary of State for Colonies (1921-1922). Lost seat in Dundee in 1922, and elected Independent MP for Epping in 1924. Rejoined Conservative Party and served as Chancellor of the Exchequer (1924-1929). Spent 1930’s on backbenches, but brought back into cabinet as First Lord of the Admiralty on outbreak of Second World War (1939-1940). Served as Prime Minister and Minister of Defence (1940-1945). Lost general election of 1945 and served as Leader of the Opposition (1945-1951). Served as Prime Minister for second term (1951-1955). Author of numerous books and articles.

Married Clementine Hozier (1908). Father of five children.