Winston Churchill

The Right Honourable Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, FRS PC (30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965) was a British statesman, best known as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. At various times a soldier, journalist, author and politician, Churchill is generally regarded as one of the most important leaders in British and world history. He won the 1953 Nobel Prize in literature.

Honours for Churchill

In 1953 he was awarded two major honours: he was invested as a Knight of the Garter (becoming Sir Winston Churchill, KG) and he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature "for his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values". A stroke in June of that year led to him being paralysed down his left side. He retired because of his health on 5 April 1955 but retained his post as Chancellor of the University of Bristol.

Related Topics:
1953 - Knight of the Garter - Nobel Prize for Literature - Stroke - 5 April - 1955 - University of Bristol

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1955, Churchill was offered elevation to dukedom as the first-ever Duke of London, a title he himself selected. However, he then declined the title after being persuaded by his son Randolph not to accept it. Since then, no people other than royalty have ever been offered a Dukedom in the United Kingdom.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1956 Churchill received the Karlspreis (engl.: Charlemagne Award), an award by the German city of Aachen to those who most contribute to the European idea and European peace. In 1959 he became Father of the House, the MP with the longest continuous service. He was to hold the position until his retirement from the Commons in 1964. He became the first person to receive Honorary U.S. Citizenship in 1963. From 1941 to his death, he was the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, a ceremonial office.

Related Topics:
Karlspreis - Aachen - 1959 - Father of the House - 1964 - Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~