Introduction

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (1874–1965) was a British Prime Minister, notably leading Britain through World War II and post-war international relations.
Churchill was born into the aristocratic Spencer family which was founded in 1469. On Churchill’s father’s side, he was a member of the British aristocracy as a direct descendant of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. His father, Lord Randolph Churchill, a member of the Conservative Party, had been the Member of Parliament for Woodstock in 1874. His mother, Jennie, was a daughter of Leonard Jerome, a wealthy American businessman.
He served as an army officer and war correspondent before entering politics. His early political career saw him switch parties from the Liberal Party to the Conservative party. He went on to have a successful political career and was Prime Minister for two terms: 1940-1945 and 1951-1955. He was a Member of Parliament for 62 years.