Winston Churchill was British statesman, historian, writer, and artist. He served as Britain’s prime minister during World War II and is credited for leading his country from the edge of defeat to victory. In 1953, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Winston Churchill was born to an aristocratic family and his lifestyle mirrored that of his father, Lord Randolph Churchill. He grew up in Dublin, Ireland, where he was an independent and often rebellious student. The first two schools he attended did not go well for him, so he was enrolled in a boarding school, which put him on his military path. It took Churchill three tries to finally pass the exam to enter the British Royal Military College, but once in he did, it went exceedingly well. After graduation he joined the British Army and spent several years in the military.
From the Army, Churchill entered into Parliament and following his father’s steps, became a supporter of social reform. During World War II, he worked closely with the United States and the Soviet Union to create a united war strategy against the Axis Powers. After the war, Churchill was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and introduced reforms like the Mines and Quarries Act, which improved conditions for mine workers. He also worked established standards for housing.
Churchill supported social reform and is known for his famous quote, “Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” It is said he knew what was right and had the courage to fight for it. He had profound insight into the nature of morality and had the willingness to confront evil when he saw it, without concern for his own welfare.