Family and Early Life
Winston Churchill was born prematurely on November 30, 1874 at the Duke of Marlborough's largest palace, Blenheim Palace. His father, Lord Randolph Churchill was the Chancellor of Exchequer and his mother, Jennie Jerome was an American socialite and the daughter of a wealthy New York businessman. Winston was the eldest son born into this aristocratic family, followed by his brother John Strange "Jack" Spencer-Churchill in February of 1880. At the age of two, the family moved to Dublin, Ireland, where Churchill's grandfather was appointed Viceroy and his son became his private secretary. Some say that Churchill's military interest developed during this time due to the many parades he saw pass by the Vice Regal Lodge.
At this point in time, it was very common for wealthy families to hire servants to care for their children. Winston's mother and father were not involved in his childhood and they acted as though their children were a nuisance. A woman named Elizabeth Ann Everest, whom Winston called "Wommany", was hired to care for him. Winston grew very fond of Ms. Everest and eventually began to see her as more of a maternal figure than his own mother.
Education
The first attempt to begin educating Winston was when the family was still living in Dublin and it was not very successful. He then began attending a preparatory school in Brighton and eventually moved on to a secondary public school named Harrow in 1888. His attendance in school was low and he performed poorly in terms of academics. When Winston finally discovered his passion for history, he was recognized for being the best in his division for history. Although he eventually took an interest in a few school subjects, his academics still continued to suffer. Besides having a hard time with his studies, Churchill also suffered from a minor lisp and stutter. This speech impediment not only hindered his education, but also his ability to fit in with the others. He grew lonely at school and frequently wrote to his parents asking them to come visit him, but they rarely did. The cold, distant relationship with his parents made it easier for Winston to cope with his father's death in 1895 and also made him realize how important it was to make his mark on the world as soon as he could.
Marriage and Children
Winston first met Clementine Hozier, his future wife, at a ball in 1904. Four years later in 1908, they met again at a dinner party and announced their engagement later that year. Just one month after their engagement, Winston and Clementine married at a church in St. Margaret's, Westminister. The couple had their first child, Diana, in 1909 and then had four more children between the years of 1911 and 1922.
At this point in time, it was very common for wealthy families to hire servants to care for their children. Winston's mother and father were not involved in his childhood and they acted as though their children were a nuisance. A woman named Elizabeth Ann Everest, whom Winston called "Wommany", was hired to care for him. Winston grew very fond of Ms. Everest and eventually began to see her as more of a maternal figure than his own mother.
Education
The first attempt to begin educating Winston was when the family was still living in Dublin and it was not very successful. He then began attending a preparatory school in Brighton and eventually moved on to a secondary public school named Harrow in 1888. His attendance in school was low and he performed poorly in terms of academics. When Winston finally discovered his passion for history, he was recognized for being the best in his division for history. Although he eventually took an interest in a few school subjects, his academics still continued to suffer. Besides having a hard time with his studies, Churchill also suffered from a minor lisp and stutter. This speech impediment not only hindered his education, but also his ability to fit in with the others. He grew lonely at school and frequently wrote to his parents asking them to come visit him, but they rarely did. The cold, distant relationship with his parents made it easier for Winston to cope with his father's death in 1895 and also made him realize how important it was to make his mark on the world as soon as he could.
Marriage and Children
Winston first met Clementine Hozier, his future wife, at a ball in 1904. Four years later in 1908, they met again at a dinner party and announced their engagement later that year. Just one month after their engagement, Winston and Clementine married at a church in St. Margaret's, Westminister. The couple had their first child, Diana, in 1909 and then had four more children between the years of 1911 and 1922.
"Biographies: Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)." Biographies: Winston S. Churchill. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.
"The Child." The Child. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.
"Winston Churchill." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Oct. 2014. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.
"World Biography." Winston Churchill Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.
"The Child." The Child. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.
"Winston Churchill." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Oct. 2014. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.
"World Biography." Winston Churchill Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.