Winston Churchill was an important 20th century British politician, writer, soldier and orator who served under six monarchs. He was born in 1874 at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire to an aristocratic family, with his mother being the daughter of an American millionaire. Churchill had a varied career as a politician, writer, soldier and inspiring speaker who played a pivotal role in Britain during World War II with his rousing speeches and leadership as prime minister from 1940-1945.