Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was born on November 30, 1874, at Blenheim Palace, the ancestral home of the Dukes of Marlborough. His father, Lord Randolph Churchill, was a charismatic Conservative politician, while his American-born mother, Jennie Jerome, was a noted socialite. Despite his privileged birth, Churchill had a lonely childhood, neglected by his parents and struggling in school.
After poor performance at Harrow School, where he excelled only in history and English, he entered Royal Military College, Sandhurst in 1893. Graduating in 1895, he was commissioned into the 4th Queen’s Own Hussars, beginning a career that blended military service, journalism, and politics.
Military Adventures and Early Writings (1895–1900)
Churchill sought action as both a soldier and war correspondent, covering conflicts across the British Empire:
- Cuba (1895): Observed Cuban rebels fighting Spanish rule; wrote dispatches for the Daily Graphic.
- India (1896–1898): Stationed in Bangalore, where he educated himself through voracious reading. Published his first book, The Story of the Malakand Field Force (1898), detailing his experiences in the Northwest Frontier.
- Sudan (1898): Fought in the Battle of Omdurman and wrote The River War (1899), a two-volume history of British reconquest.
- South Africa (1899–1900): Captured during the Boer War but escaped, making him a national hero. His reports were compiled in London to Ladysmith via Pretoria (1900) and Ian Hamilton’s March (1900).
These early works showcased his vivid prose, sharp analysis, and knack for self-promotion—traits that defined his later career.
Political Rise and Literary Output (1900–1939)
Early Political Career (1900–1914)
Elected as a Conservative MP in 1900, Churchill soon defected to the Liberal Party (1904), championing social reforms. As President of the Board of Trade (1908–1910), he introduced labor protections, later documented in his speeches and essays.
His only major novel, Savrola (1900), a political romance, was poorly received, but his biographies thrived:
- Lord Randolph Churchill (1906): A two-volume tribute to his father.
- The World Crisis (1923–1931): A multi-volume memoir of World War I, blending history with personal insight.
World War I and Aftermath (1914–1929)
As First Lord of the Admiralty (1911–1915), Churchill championed the disastrous Gallipoli Campaign, leading to his resignation. He redeemed himself by serving on the Western Front and later returning as Minister of Munitions (1917–1919).
In the 1920s, he published The Aftermath (1929), part of The World Crisis series, analyzing post-war Europe. As Chancellor of the Exchequer (1924–1929), his decision to return Britain to the Gold Standard proved economically disastrous.
The Wilderness Years (1930s)
Out of favor, Churchill focused on writing, including:
- Marlborough: His Life and Times (1933–1938): A four-volume biography of his ancestor, the Duke of Marlborough.
- Great Contemporaries (1937): Profiles of figures like Hitler, Lenin, and Lawrence of Arabia.
- While England Slept (1938): Collected warnings about Nazi Germany.
His speeches condemning appeasement (e.g., the 1938 Munich Agreement) were ignored—until history vindicated him.
World War II Leadership (1939–1945)
Appointed Prime Minister in May 1940, Churchill’s leadership and oratory defined Britain’s resistance:
- “Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat” (1940): His first speech as PM, vowing relentless war against Nazism.
- “We Shall Fight on the Beaches” (1940): A defiant rallying cry during the Dunkirk evacuation.
- “Their Finest Hour” (1940): Preparing Britain for the Battle of Britain.
His wartime memoirs, The Second World War (1948–1953), won the Nobel Prize in Literature (1953) for their masterful blend of history and personal narrative.
Post-War Career and Later Writings (1945–1965)
Cold War Statesman (1945–1955)
Defeated in the 1945 election, Churchill warned of Soviet expansion in his “Iron Curtain” speech (1946). Re-elected PM in 1951, he prioritized nuclear deterrence and U.S. alliances.
Historical Works and Retirement
- A History of the English-Speaking Peoples (1956–1958): A four-volume survey from Caesar to WWI.
- Painting as a Pastime (1948): Essays on his hobby, revealing his artistic side.
Knighted in 1953, he retired in 1955 but remained a global icon until his death on January 24, 1965.
Legacy
Churchill was a paradox: a flawed yet indispensable leader, a warrior who won the Nobel Prize in Literature. His writings—spanning history, memoir, and speeches—remain essential to understanding the 20th century.
“In war: resolution. In defeat: defiance. In victory: magnanimity. In peace: goodwill.”
— The Second World War
Sir Winston Spencer Churchill | First Edition Identification Guide
Complete guide to Sir Winston Churchill’s first edition books, ordered by publication date.
| Year | Title | Publisher | First edition/printing identification points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1898 | The Story of the Malakand Field Force | Longmans, Green, London, 1898 | First English edition. Apple green cloth, gilt lettering. Two states, priority as listed: A) No errata slip tipped-in preceding the first folding map. Rear publisher's catalogue , at p. 32 bottom left corner dated 12/97. 2000 copies printed. B) Errata slip tipped-in preceding the first folding map. Rear publisher's catalogue, at p. 32 bottom left corner dated 03/98. ALSO: Colonial edition, 1898. Bound in grey-green pictorial cloth. With "Longman's Colonial Library" on cover and title page. ALSO: Silver Library edition, 1899. Plump cloth. 1500 copies printed. |
| 1899 | The River War | Longmans, Green, London, 1899 | First English edition. Dark blue pictorial cloth, gilt lettering. 2 vols. Three states, priority as listed: A) Second inverted comma missing after THE "LONDON GAZETTE' on p. 459 of vol. II. 2000 copies printed. B) Second inverted comma error after THE "LONDON GAZETTE" corrected. 500 copies printed. C) Points unknown. Please let me know if you've any info. Around 151 copies printed. One copy known with a dust jacket, cream color, black lettering. ALSO: Longmans, Green, London, 1902. Revised, one-volume edition. Red decorative cloth, gilt lettering. 1000 copies printed. |
| 1900 | Savrola | Longmans, Green, NY, 1900 | First American edition. Longmans, Green, NY. Address listed on the title page as "FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK". "Copyright, 1899" stated on © page. Published a week prior to the UK edition. Dark blue cloth, gilt lettering. 4000 copies printed. ALSO: Longmans, Green, London, 1900. First English edition. Address listed on the title page as "PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON". "Copyright, 1899" stated on © page. Blue-green cloth. 1500 copies printed. ALSO: A second impression of 1500 copies were printed, as well as 2000 for the Colonial edition. No date on the copyright page. ALSO: Later in the same month, another 2000 were printed, 1000 each for the home & Colonial editions. Points unknown. ALSO: George Newnes, Ltd., London, 1908. First illustrated edition. Bound in wrappers, red and blue lettering. |
| 1900 | London to Ladysmith | Longmans, Green, London, 1900 | First English edition. Tan pictorial cloth. Black and red lettering. Gilt lettering to spine. 10,000 copies printed. ALSO: Longmans, Green, London, 1900. First American edition. Red cloth, gilt lettering. 3000 copies printed. ALSO: A few days after the first impression was printed, a further 500 were printed. Points unknown to me. |
| 1900 | Ian Hamilton's March | Longmans, Green, London, 1900 | First English edition. Dark red cloth, gilt lettering. 5000 copies printed. ALSO: Longmans, Green, London, 1900. First American edition. Red cloth, gilt lettering. 1533 copies printed. ALSO: A further 3000 copies were printed Nov. 1900. Points unknown to me. ALSO: The Copp, Clark Ltd. Toronto, 1900. First Canadian edition. Tan decorative cloth, black lettering. |
| 1903 | Mr. Brodick's Army | Arthur L. Humphrey, London, 1903 | First English edition. Dark red matt card, black lettering. |
| 1906 | Lord Randolph Churchill | Macmillan & Co., London, 1906 | First English edition. Two vols. Maroon cloth, gilt lettering. Issued with dust jacket. 8000 copies printed. ALSO: MacMillan & Co, NY, 1906. First American edition. Dark maroon cloth, gilt lettering. "The Macmillan Company" imprint on the spine instead of "Macmillan & Co." of the English edition. ALSO: MacMillan & Co, London, 1907. Second English edition. One vol. edition. Red cloth, gilt lettering. |
| 1906 | For Free Trade | Arthur L. Humphrey, London, 1906 | First English edition. Dark red matt card, black lettering. The book is uniform with Mr. Brodrick's Army. |
| 1908 | My African Journey | Hodder & Stoughton, London, MCMVIII | First English edition. Bright red pictorial cloth, gilt lettering. 12,500 copies printed. |
| 1909 | Liberalism and the Social Problem | Hodder & Stoughton, London, MCMIX | First English edition. Maroon cloth, gilt lettering. 5000 copies printed. ALSO: Hodder & Stoughton, NY, 1909. First American edition. Dark maroon cloth, gilt lettering. ALSO: Longmans, Green, London, 1909. Second printing. "Second Edition" listed on title page. |
| 1910 | The People's Rights | Hodder & Stoughton, London, [1910] | First English edition. Two bindings, no priority: A) Pictorial yellow wrappers, black & green lettering. Two states, priority as listed:
|
| 1910 | Prison and Prisoners | Cassell & Co., London, 1910 | First English edition. Grey wrappers, blue lettering. |
| 1923-1931 | The World Crisis | Thorton Butterworth, London, (1923-1931) | First English edition. Six vols. Published between (1923-1931). Navy blue cloth, gilt lettering. "First Published ... April 1923" with no other printing statement on © page. Issued in light green dutwrappers, black lettering, price on the spine. 5150-7500 copies printed. ALSO: Charles Scribner's Sons, NY, (1923-1931). First American edition. The year on the title page must match with the year on the © page. Except for the final volume, Scribner's "A" seal on © page. |
| 1930 | Parliamentary Government and the Economic Problem | Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1930 | First English edition. Grey tinted laid paper, green lettering. |
| 1930 | My Early Life | Thorton Butterworth, London, [1930] | First English edition. Bright purple coarse or smooth cloth, gilt lettering. "First Published ... 1930" stated on © page, no statement of later printing. Two states, priority as listed: A) Title on the cover stamped in three lines and the boxed list of "Works by the same Author" on half-title verso list 11 titles. B) Cover title stamped in five lines and 12 titles listed on the "Works by the same Author" on the half-title verso. Issued in purple dustwrapper. 5750 copies printed. ALSO: Charles Scribner's Sons, NY, 1930.Grey-blue cloth, gilt lettering. Scribner's "A" seal on © page. |
| 1931 | India | Thorton Butterworth, London, [1931] | First English edition. Two issues, no priority: Orange cloth or wraps, black lettering. "First published ... 1931", no statement of other printing on © page. Cloth binnding issued with an orange dustwrapper, price 2/-. |
| 1932 | Thoughts and Adventures | Thorton Butterworth, London, [1932] | First English edition. Various shade of olive-green cloth. Gilt lettering. "First Published...1932" stated on © page, no statement of later printing. Issued in tan dustwrapper, black lettering, price 18/-. ALSO: Charles Scribner's Sons, NY, 1923. First American edition. Published as "Amid These Storms" in the US. Red cloth, gilt lettering. Date on title & © page matches. |
| 1933-1938 | Marlborough: His Life and Times | George G. Harrap, London, [1933-1938] | First English edition. Four vols. Two issues, no priority: A) Limited edition of 155 numbered signed copies in vol. 1. Full orange morocco, gilt lettering. B) First English trade edition. Burgundy cloth, gilt lettering. "First published 1933" stated on © page, no statement of later printing. 10,000-15,000 copies printed. ALSO: Charles Scribner's Sons, NY, (1933-1938). First American edition. Six vols. Green cloth, gilt lettering. Scribner's "A" seal on © page. Two state dustwrappers, priority as listed: A) Tan, green lettering B) Uniform blue/gold dustwrapper. Price $2.75. |
| 1937 | Great Contemporaries | Thorton Butterworth, London, [1937] | First English edition. Dark blue cloth, gilt lettering. "First Published...1937" stated on © page, no statemtn of later printing. Issued in orange dustwrapper, black lettering. No press reviews on front flap. 5000 copies printed. ALSO: G. P. Putnam's Sons, NY, 1937. First American edition. Dark blue cloth, printed in red/white. Date on title & © page matches. Pictorial dustwrapper, price $4.00. |
| 1938 | Arms and the Covenant | George G. Harrap, London, 1938 | First English edition. Blue cloth, gilt lettering. "First published 1938" stated on © page. Two states dustwrappers, priority as listed: A) Pale blue, black lettering. B) Yellow, red lettering. 5000 copies printed. ALSO: G. P. Putnam's Sons, NY, 1939. First American edition. Dark blue cloth, red/white lettering. Date on title page and © page page matches. Issued in pictorial red, white & black dustwrapper. Price $4.00. |
| 1939 | Step by Step: 1936-1939 | Thorton Butterworth, London, | First English edition. Green cloth, gilt lettering. "First published ... 1939" stated on © page. Issued in tan dustwrapper, black lettering. Price 12s6d. 7500 copies printed. ALSO: G. P. Putnam's Sons, NY, 1939. First American edition. Dark blue cloth, red/white lettering. Issued in pictorial dustwrapper, black lettering. Price $4.00. |
| 1941 | Into Battle | Cassell & Co., London, [1941]. | First English edition. Light blue cloth, gilt lettering. "First published 1941" stated on © page. Third speech left out and no pagination on p. 78. Issued in pictorial dustwrapper. Price 8s6d. 30,000 copies printed. ALSO: G. P. Putnam's Sons, NY, [1941]. As "Blood, Sweat and Tears". Dark blue cloth, red/white lettering. Dated 1941 on © page. Issued in a yellow dustwrapper, red, white, blue lettering. Price $5.00. A Book Club edition was issued in red cloth. |
| 1942 | The Unrelenting Struggle | Cassell & Co., London, [1942] | First English edition. Light blue cloth, gilt lettering. "First Published ... 1942" stated on © page. Issued in pictorial white dustwrapper, black & white lettering. Price 8s6d. 10,500 copies printed. ALSO: Little Brown Co., 1942. Red cloth, gilt lettering. "First Edition" stated on © page. Issued in pictorial dustwrapper. Price $3.50. 15,000 copies printed. |
| 1943 | The End of the Beginning | Cassell & Co., London, [1943] | First English edition. Light blue cloth, gilt lettering. "First Published ... 1943" stated on © page. Issued in white dustwrapper, black and white lettering. Price 11s4d. 16,000 copies printed. ALSO: Little Brown & Co, 1943. First American edition. Red cloth, gilt lettering. "First Edition" stated on © page. Pictorial red/white dustwrapper. Price $3.50. |
| 1944 | Onwards to Victory | Cassell & Co., London, [1944] | First English edition. Light blue cloth, gilt lettering. "First Published ... 1944" stated on © page. Issued in white dustwrapper, black and white lettering. Price 12s6d. 15,000 copies printed. ALSO: Little Brown & Co, 1943. First American edition. Red cloth, gilt lettering. "First Edition" stated on © page. Pictorial red/white dustwrapper. Price $3.50. |
| 1945 | The Dawn of Liberation | Cassell & Co., London, [1945] | First English edition. Light blue cloth, gilt lettering. "First Published ... 1945" stated on © page. Issued in white dustwrapper, black and white lettering. Price 12s6d. 14,250 copies printed. ALSO: Little Brown & Co, 1943. First American edition. Red cloth, gilt lettering. "First Edition" stated on © page. Pictorial red/white dustwrapper. Price $3.50. |
| 1946 | Victory | Cassell & Co., London, [1946] | First English edition. Light blue cloth, gilt lettering. "First Published ... 1946" stated on © page. Issued in white dustwrapper, black and white lettering. Price 12s6d. 38,000 copies printed. ALSO: Little Brown & Co, 1943. First American edition. Red cloth, gilt lettering. "First Edition" stated on © page. Pictorial red/white dustwrapper. Price $3.50. |
| 1946 | War Speeches: 1940-1945 | Cassell & Co., London, [1946] | First English edition. Blue wrappers, black lettering. "First Published ... 1946" stated on © page. 20,000 copies printed. |
| 1946 | Secret Session Speeches | Cassell & Co., London, [1946] | First English edition. Light blue cloth, gilt lettering. "First Published...1946" stated on © page. Issued in white dustwrapper, black lettering. 48,500 copies printed. ALSO: Simon & Schuster, 1946. First American edition. Gray cloth, gilt lettering. Date on title page and © page matches. Issues in a white/red/blue dustwrapper. Price $2.00. 5910 copies printed. |
| 1948-1955 | The Second World War | Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, 1948-1955 | First American edition. The American edition preceded the English edition. Red cloth, top edge stained yellow. No de-bossed "dot" on rear cover (Book Club edition). Dustwrapper price $6.00 on front flap. ALSO: Cassell & Co, London, [1948-1954]. First English edition. "First Published...1948" stated on © page. Black cloth, gilt lettering. Issued in gray patterned dustwrapper, red and pink lettering. |
| 1948 | The Sinews of Peace | Cassell & Co., London, [1946] | First English edition. Orange cloth, gilt lettering. "First published...1948" stated on © page. Issued in a black/white dustwrapper, green lettering. Price 16s. ALSO: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1949. First American edition. Light blue cloth. Issued in a decorated blue dustwrapper, white lettering. Price $3.00. |
| 1948 | Painting as a Pastime | Odham Press Ltd., London | First English edition. Light green cloth, gilt lettering. "First published...1948" stated on © page. Issued in a pictorial red/white dustwrapper. Price 10s6d. 25,000 copies printed. ALSO: Whittlesey House, NY, 1950. First American edition. Dark blue cloth. Issued in a pictorial dustwrapper. |
| 1950 | Europe Unite | Cassell & Co., London, [1951] | First English edition. Dark green cloth, gilt lettering. "First published...1950" stated on © page. Issued in a black/white dustwrapper. Price 18s. ALSO: Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, 1950. First American edition. Green cloth, black lettering. Issued in a decorated green dustwrapper. Price: $5.00. |
| 1951 | In the Balance | Cassell & Co., London, [1950] | First English edition. Dark blue cloth, gilt lettering. "First published...1951" stated on © page. Issued in a black/white dustwrapper, red lettering. Price 18s. ALSO: Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, 1951. First American edition. Brown cloth, black lettering. Issued in a red dustwrapper, white lettering. Price: $5.00. |
| 1952 | The War Speches | Cassell & Co., London, [1952] | First English edition. Three vols. Navy blue cloth, gilt lettering. "First published 1951" stated on © page. Issued in a decorated light yellow/purple dustwrapper, black lettering. Price 21s each vol. 3700 copies printed. ALSO: Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston, 1953. First American edition. Red cloth boards, gilt lettering. "First published 1953" stated on © page. Issued in a black/blue dustwrapper. 500 copies printed. |
| 1953 | Stemming the Tide | Cassell & Co., London, [1953] | First English edition. Burgundy cloth, gilt lettering. "First published...1953" stated on © page. Issued in a black/white dustwrapper, red lettering. Price 18s. ALSO: Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, 1954. First American edition. Green cloth, black lettering. Issued in a blue/white dustwrapper, red/white lettering. |
| 1956-1958 | A History of the English-Speaking Peoples | Cassell & Co., London, [1956-1958] | First English edition. Four vols. Red cloth, gilt lettering. "First published 1956" stated on © page. Issued in pictorial dustwrappers. First edition dust jacket does not advertise later vols. On flaps. Price 30s/each. 130,000 copies printed. ALSO: Dodd, Mead & Co, NY. 1956-1958. First American edition. Grey cloth. Top edge stained red, no de-bossed "dot" on rear cover (indicating a BOMC). Issued in pictorial dustwrapper. Price $6.00. |
| 1961 | The Unwritten Alliance | Cassell & Co., London, [1961] | First English edition. Red cloth, gilt lettering. Issued in a black/white dust wrapper. Price 35s. 5000 copies printed. |
| 1962 | Frontiers and Wars | Eyre & Spottiswoode, London, 1962 | First English edition. Light blue cloth. "First published 1962" stated on © page. Issued in a white pictorial dustwrapper. Price 35s. ALSO: Harcourt, Brace World Inc., NY, 1962. First American edition. Black cloth. "Fist published 1962" stated on © page. |
Sir Winston Spencer Churchill | First Edition Dust Jackets Identification
Gallery of First state Dust Jackets of Winston Churchill’s works. Only includes the first appearance in book form. Either the UK or US edition and does not include later printings.
Reference:
