Details
CHURCHILL, Winston S. Autograph letter signed to Sir Algernon West, 35a Great Cumberland Place, 13 March [1896], thanking West for an article about Lord Randolph Churchill, which is particularly of interest in showing the impressions he made on the civil servants in his departments, noting that 'I do not think its value as a record will be in any way lessened by the spirit of affection in which it is plainly written'; he apologises for not being able to give West any information himself, explaning that 'my memories are slender & few', 3 pages, 8vo.
Lord Randolph Churchill had died in January the previous year from what his doctor believed to be syphilis. His relationship with his eldest son was certainly distant -- Winston could remember only two or three real conversations with him -- and at times bitingly critical, but his influence on his political views and outlook was to be profound. Although only 21 when he wrote the present letter, Winston had already seen his first shots fired in anger in Cuba the previous year: there he also 'acquired two lifelong habits: Havana cigars, and siestas' (ODNB). Sir Algernon West had served under Lord Randolph at the Treasury as commissioner for the Inland Revenue.
Lord Randolph Churchill had died in January the previous year from what his doctor believed to be syphilis. His relationship with his eldest son was certainly distant -- Winston could remember only two or three real conversations with him -- and at times bitingly critical, but his influence on his political views and outlook was to be profound. Although only 21 when he wrote the present letter, Winston had already seen his first shots fired in anger in Cuba the previous year: there he also 'acquired two lifelong habits: Havana cigars, and siestas' (ODNB). Sir Algernon West had served under Lord Randolph at the Treasury as commissioner for the Inland Revenue.
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