Churchill, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer

Churchill, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer (1874–1965) British statesman, prime minister (1940–45, 1951–55). Son of Lord Randolph Churchill, he was a reporter in the South African Wars. Elected to Parliament in 1900 as a Conservative, he crossed the floor to join the Liberals in 1904. As first lord of the admiralty under Herbert Asquith, Churchill expanded Britain's navy in preparation for World War I. In Lloyd George's cabinet, he served as secretary of state for war (1918–21) and, as colonial secretary (1921–22), he oversaw the creation of the Irish Free State. He returned to power as chancellor of the exchequer (1924–29) in Stanley Baldwin's Conservative government. Out of office (1929–39), he spoke out against the rising threat of Nazi Germany. On the outbreak of World War II, he once more became first lord of the admiralty. In 1940 he replaced Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister. He proved an inspiring war leader, resolute in his opposition to fascism. Cultivating close relations with President Roosevelt, Churchill was the principal architect of the grand alliance of Britain, the USA and Soviet Union (see Yalta Conference; Potsdam Conference), which eventually defeated the Axis Powers. In 1945 Churchill was succeeded by Clement Attlee, but he was re-elected in 1950 and reversed some of Labour's nationalizations. He remained a MP until 1964. His extensive writings include a history of World War II and the History of the English-Speaking Peoples (1956–58). He received the Nobel Prize in literature in 1953.

http://www.number-10.gov.uk; http://www.churchill.nls.ac.uk; http://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/archives