Winston Churchill's Career

The early years, racism and rise to power

Churchill once said, “Tact is the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip." He was controversial, witty, cruel, racist, brilliant, and wildly successful. You may or may not like him but you should know a bit about him.

Born into aristocracy in 1874, Churchill's early years were marked by privilege but also by academic struggles (he went on to win the Nobel Prize in literature. The Nobel Committee cited his "mastery of historical and biographical description" explaining the award) and a strained relationship with his parents.

From his father, he inherited a passion for politics and a sense of duty to serve his country. Lord Randolph's influence instilled in Churchill a fierce ambition and determination to make his mark on the world. From his mother, Churchill inherited a love of literature, culture, and social grace. Jennie Jerome's American upbringing infused Churchill with a cosmopolitan outlook and a fascination with the wider world beyond the confines of British society. Despite their differences and occasional conflicts, Churchill remained deeply attached to his parents throughout his life.