Churchill

Churchill
   , CHURCHILLIANS
   So much has been said and written about this greatest political figure in twentieth-century Britain that no one should expect anything original. Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (1874-1965) was born at Blenheim Palace, in Oxfordshire, England, third son of politician Lord Randolph Churchill and his American wife, Jennie Jerome. He attended Harrow and Sandhurst and was commissioned in the Fourth Hussars. Churchill led an exciting life in different capacities and in different places. He changed his politics as he saw fit and, through the Liberal Party, was appointed lord of the admiralty in 1911. After active service in France, he became Lloyd George's minister of munitions and then secretary for war and air. He supported the Irish Free State and affirmed Palestine as a Jewish homeland. Churchill was out of the cabinet (but in Parliament) from 1929 to 1939, returning as the first lord of admiralty under Neville Chamberlain. The Germans invaded and conquered Norway, and he became prime minister on May 10, 1940. His refusal to consider Britain's defeat and his rallying phrases bolstered the spirit of Britons. Churchill's rhetoric was well chosen, clear, and poignant. He was a scholar, and his words came from an unlimited mental library accumulated throughout his life. Among the outstanding Churchillians are "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat"; "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"; and "the soft underbelly of the Axis." At Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, where Churchill spoke at the invitation of President Truman, he declared that there had descended upon Europe "an iron curtain," cutting off the East from the rest of Europe. That phrase caught on and was repeated on innumerable occasions. Chagrined by the fall of France, he exclaimed, "Let us therefore brace ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will say, 'This was their finest hour.' "
   As happens to few persons, Churchill was made a citizen of the United States by a presidential proclamation issued by President Kennedy. It read: "In the dark days and darker nights when Britain stood alone — and most men save Englishmen despaired of England's life — he mobilized the English language and sent it into battle. The incandescent quality of his words illuminated the courage of his countrymen. Given unlimited powers by his fellow citizens, he was ever vigilant to protect their rights. Indifferent himself to danger, he wept over the sorrows of •others. A child of the House of Commons, he became in time its father. Accustomed to the hardship of battle, he has no distaste for pleasure. By adding his name to our rolls, we mean to honor him — but his acceptance honors us far more. For no statement or proclamation can enrich his name — the name Winston Churchill is already a legend." Churchill's Conservative Party was returned to power in 1951, with Churchill as prime minister. He resigned in 1955. His masterpiece The Second World War was published in six volumes. In 1965 Queen Elizabeth and the royal family attended the funeral of Mr. Churchill. This was an unprecedented honor, as the queen does not attend funerals save those of family.

Dictionary of eponyms. . 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Churchill — ist der Familienname einer britischen Familie, siehe Churchill (Familie). Bekanntestes Mitglied ist Winston Churchill (1874–1965), britischer Staatsmann, Schriftsteller und Nobelpreisträger. Weitere Mitglieder der Familie sind (chronologisch… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • CHURCHILL (W.) — Vingt ans avant sa mort, Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill est entré dans l’histoire du peuple britannique, à l’instant même où, la guerre terminée, le verdict des élections, par un étrange paradoxe, l’éloignait du poste de Premier ministre. Pour …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Churchill — Churchill, sir Winston Leonard Spencer ► Río de Canadá, en las prov. de Saskatchewan y Manitoba. Nace en el lago La Loche y desemboca en la bahía de Hudson; 1 600 km. * * * (as used in expressions) Churchill, cataratas Churchill, Randolph (Henry… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Churchill — Churchill, OH U.S. Census Designated Place in Ohio Population (2000): 2601 Housing Units (2000): 1165 Land area (2000): 2.493503 sq. miles (6.458144 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 2.493503 sq.… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Churchill, OH — U.S. Census Designated Place in Ohio Population (2000): 2601 Housing Units (2000): 1165 Land area (2000): 2.493503 sq. miles (6.458144 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 2.493503 sq. miles (6.458144 …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Churchill, PA — U.S. borough in Pennsylvania Population (2000): 3566 Housing Units (2000): 1567 Land area (2000): 2.195418 sq. miles (5.686107 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 2.195418 sq. miles (5.686107 sq. km) …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Churchill — Churchill1 [chʉr′chil] 1. John see MARLBOROUGH 1st Duke of 2. Lord Randolph (Henry Spencer) 1849 95; Brit. statesman 3. Winston [win′stən] 1871 1947; U.S. novelist 4. Sir Winston (Leonard Spencer) 1874 1965; Brit. statesman & writer: prime… …   English World dictionary

  • Churchill [1] — Churchill (spr. Tschörtschill), 1) Windstoon de Wootton Bassen, geb. 1620 in Dorsetshire; Anhänger Karls I., mußte sich deshalb nach Devonshire zurückziehen, erhielt aber nach Karls II. Thronbesteigung mehrere Ehrenämter u. st. 1683; er schr.… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Churchill [2] — Churchill (spr. Tschörtschill), 1) Fluß im britischen Nordamerika; entspringt aus dem Methye See, steht mit dem Saskatchawan in Verbindung u. fließt in seinem Granitbett, das sich oft zu Seen erweitert, nach O. in die Hudsonsbai, wo er bei[131]… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Churchill [1] — Churchill (spr. tschörtschill, English River, der Missinippi der Algonkin Indianer), Fluß in Nordamerika, entspringt als Biberfluß in der Nordostecke des kanadischen Territoriums Alberta unter 54°30 nördl. Br., fließt erst östlich, dann nördlich… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Churchill [2] — Churchill (spr. tschörtschill), 1) Charles, engl. Satiriker, geb. im Februar 1731 in Westminster, wo sein Vater Prediger war, gest. 4. Nov. 1764 in Boulogne, besuchte die Westminsterschule und ließ sich dann in Cambridge immatrikulieren, ohne… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”