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Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill
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It is difficult to select a representative sample of Churchill's work from the scores of books, articles and speeches he produced. However, I think the following sample from his address to Parliament on June 4, 1940 immediately after the evacuation at Dunkirk will survive as long as the English language.
I have myself full confidence that if all do their duty,
if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made,
as they are being made,
we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our island home,
to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny,
if necessary for years -- if necessary alone.At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do.
That is the resolve of His Majesty's Government -- every man of them.
That is the will of Parliament and the nation.
The British Empire and the French Republic,
linked together in their cause and in their need,
will defend to the death their native soil,
aiding each other like good comrades
to the utmost of their strength.Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States
have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo
and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule,
we shall not flag or fail.We shall go on to the end.
We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans,
We shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air,
We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be,
We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds,
We shall fight in the fields, and in the streets,
We shall fight in the hills;
We shall never surrender,
And even if, which I do not for a moment believe,
this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving,
then our Empire beyond the seas,
armed and guarded by the British Fleet,
would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time,
the New World, with all its power and might,
steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the Old.SPEECH, HOUSE OF COMMONS, 4 JUNE 1940
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (1874-1965)
British soldier, newspaperman, author, orator, statesman. Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1940-1945, 1951-1955), widely considered the greatest British leader of the 20th century (and, no doubt, of later centuries.) Led England during World War II. During his political career he held every important cabinet office in the British government, except foreign minister. Author of many books and noted for his command of the English language and speaking style. Winner of the Nobel Prize for literature in 1953.