Sir Winston Churchill was a military man turned politician and a brilliant orator. He became Prime Minister of the UK in 1940 and played a vital role in leading his country through World War II. He was also a prolific author and historian, receiving the Nobel Prize in literature in 1953. After retiring in 1955, his health began to fail, and he died in 1965 at the age of 90. Churchill was given a state funeral and is recognized around the world for his achievements.
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (1874-1965) is widely regarded as one of the most important leaders in the history of the modern world.
Born on 30 November 1874, Sir Winston Churchill was part of an aristocratic family descended from John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. As a young man, Sir Winston Churchill planned a career in the military. He attended the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served his country in India, Cuba and South Africa.
While Sir Winston Churchill received a number of honors for his military service, he soon decided that his real passion was politics. Though he suffered from a speech impediment, Churchill was a brilliant orator and a charismatic leader. He held a number of important positions during his early political career including Chairman of the Trade Council, Minister for Munitions, Secretary of State for War, Home Secretary, First Lord of the Admiralty, Secretary of State for Air and Chancellor of the chessboard.
Sir Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1940. He played a vital role in leading his country through World War II and is widely credited with helping restore the world’s faith in democracy during this difficult period. His good relationship with US President Franklin D. Roosevelt also helped secure vital food, munitions, and oil while enabling his people to exploit the North Atlantic shipping lanes.
Aside from his political achievements, Sir Winston Churchill was a prolific author and widely respected historian. In 1953 he received the Nobel Prize in literature for his books on English and world history. A History of the English-Speaking Peoples, a four-volume work covering the period between Caesar’s invasion of Britain and the start of World War I, is one of his best-known projects.
After his retirement as Prime Minister in 1955, Sir Winston Churchill’s health began to fail. His long battle with depression became more difficult to manage and he suffered a series of small strokes which greatly impaired his mobility. However, he has found solace in traveling with his many friends.
Sir Winston Churchill died on 24 January 1965 at the age of 90. The Queen ordered that Churchill be given a state funeral, although this honor is usually reserved for members of the royal family. Churchill was later buried in his family vault at St Martin’s Church, Bladon.
While Sir Winston Churchill was voted the greatest Briton in the 2002 BBC poll of the 100 Greatest Britons, it should be noted that his achievements have been recognized around the world. He was made an honorary citizen of the United States by President John F. Kennedy in 1963. France, Belgium, Egypt, Libya, Nepal, Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain and Norway have awarded him various medals and awards. Additionally, there are a number of schools and public buildings in the United States and Canada named in his honor.
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