Declared in 2002 polls as “Greatest Briton”, Winston Churchill has been a most discussed personality in the life and politics of Britain. His fame rose to the pinnacle when he led Britain as Prime Minister in Second World War and forced Nazis to surrender. What made Churchill, the greatest Briton, is a question worth knowing. The close look at the life of Winston Churchill answers this question.
Churchill was born in an aristocratic family of Oxfordshire, a descendant of the Dukes of Marlborough. His family was considered at the top level among British aristocracy.During his primary academic life, he hardly cleared his exams. Many of his poems and letters were published in the school magazine and it showed his deep interest in poetry and history. On the wishes of his father, he pursued the military career and commissioned as second lieutenant. After spending a while in the military, he was sent to Bombay in 1896, later transferred to Bangalore. He made many visits to Calcutta, Hyderabad and North West Frontier. He joined Malakand Field Force where Mohmand rebels were fighting against Bindon. He quoted all his maiden experiences of this blood feud as a journalist to The Daily Telegraph. He wrote his first book, The Story of Malakand Field Force.
He was but of the belief that he is poorly educated and that he needs to read aplenty. He returned form sub-continent and started reading Plato, Charles Darwin and Edward Gibbon. This led him to take the profound interest in parliamentary affairs and aligned himself to the conservative party of Britain. Through his extensive readings, he proclaimed himself a reformist who also promotes secular non-denominational education.Churchill married to Clementine in 1908.Churchill’s deep interest in politics drove him to parliament where his echoed his liberal views. He rose to the ranks of mainstream political leaders of the conservative party and brought reforms within the party structure. Churchill was opposed to the notion of Gandhi’s peaceful disobedience in 1930 and he declared that this movement ought to be crushed and subjugated to death.
In 1940, Chamberlain was indecisive about a policy against German invasion and entire nation had no belief in his capabilities. As Chamberlain resigned, the chief whip of government recommended Churchill’s name as prime minister. Churchill refused peace negotiations and jumped into a long war. His rhetoric, “We shall never surrender” and“I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat” went famously among masses. He gave numerous inspirational speeches to military and masses. His leadership mind brought victory to Britain against Germany in Second World War. He was elected again as PM of Britain in 1952. He got sever stroke in 1965 as a result of his extremely hectic involvement in state’s affairs.
Much added to his political acumen, Churchill was also a laureate, received a noble prize for literature in 1940. His massive grip on national and international politics and history was the validation of his quest for knowledge and information.