Key facts
- Born
- 1874
- PM during
- World War Two (1940-1945)
- Famous for
- Inspiring speeches
- Nobel Prize
- Literature (1953)
- Legacy
- Voted "Greatest Briton" (2002)
Sir Winston Churchill is one of Britain's most famous leaders. His inspirational leadership during World War Two helped Britain survive against Nazi Germany.
Life
- Born: 30 November 1874, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
- Died: 24 January 1965, London
- Career: Soldier, journalist, politician, author, painter
- Prime Minister: 1940-1945, 1951-1955
World War Two Leadership
Churchill became Prime Minister in May 1940 at Britain's darkest hour. France was falling, and Britain faced Nazi Germany alone.
Famous Speeches
- "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat"
- "We shall fight on the beaches..."
- "This was their finest hour"
- "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" (about the RAF)
Leadership Qualities
- Refused to negotiate with Hitler
- Inspired the nation through radio broadcasts
- Worked tirelessly on the war effort
- Built alliance with USA and Soviet Union
Other Achievements
- Won the Nobel Prize for Literature (1953)
- Prolific author and historian
- Accomplished painter
- First person to be made an honorary US citizen
Legacy
- State funeral (only the second for a non-royal in the 20th century)
- Voted "Greatest Briton" in 2002 BBC poll
- Face on the £5 note
- Remembered for courage and oratory
Why it comes up in the test
Know Churchill was PM during WWII and his famous speeches.
Common traps
- Forgetting he was PM twice
- Not knowing his famous quotes
- Confusing him with other PMs
Winston Churchill: common questions
Churchill was Prime Minister twice: 1940-1945 during World War Two, and 1951-1955.
Related topics
- World War Two (1939-1945)The global conflict from 1939 to 1945, in which Britain and the Allies fought Nazi Germany, Italy, and Japan. Britain stood alone against Hitler for over a year.
- The Prime MinisterThe head of the UK government, leader of the political party with the most MPs in the House of Commons, and the most powerful political figure in the country.
Written from Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), the only official source for the test. BritPass is not affiliated with the Home Office; if anything here differs from the handbook, the handbook is right.
