2013-05-21   Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

Churchill was twice British Prime Minister, from 1940 to 1945 and from 1951 to 1955. He received a Nobel Prize in Literature. He was the first person to be made an honorary citizen of the United States. But he experienced many disappointments, and even times of failure, before he achieved success.

As a young student at school, Churchill struggled in his studies. He failed the sixth grade. His political career included many mistakes, such as the disastrous invasion of Turkey during World War I (the Gallilopi campaign) and his opposition to independence for India.

But when World War II came, Churchill proved to be an inspiring leader for Britain and the free world in opposing Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany. When Hitler had overrun much of Europe, and Britain was seemingly "down and out", Churchill's parliamentary speeches and radio broadcasts inspired people not to surrender.

Churchill's success as a speechmaker is all the more remarkable when we remember that he had a speech impediment, but overcame it with practice. For more details about Churchill, including many of his famous quotations, see www.winstonchurchill.org