FAMILIES : The Churchills of Britain

Prime Minister Winston Churchill (1847-1965), Britain’s celebrated World War II leader, had family links to royalty, wealth and military and political power stretching back for centuries. Here’s an abbreviated family tree showing more notable members only:

Sir Winston Churchill (1620-88)

member of Parliament

*

John Churchill (1650-1722)

1st Duke of Marlborough

Diplomat and greatest British general of 18th Century. Built Blenheim Palace, the family estate.

(marriage)

Sarah Jennings Churchill (1660-1744)

Childhood friend and confidant of Britain’s Queen Anne. Finished Blenheim Palace after John’s death.

*

Anne Churchill (1684-1716)

(marriage)

Charles Spencer (1674-1722)

3rd Earl of Sunderland. Knight of the Garter (highest British civil and military honor.)

*

Henrietta (1681-1733)

2nd Duchess of Marlborough. Acquired dukedom by special act of Parliament.

*

John Spencer (1708-1746)

From whom the Earl of Spencer and Lady Diana Spencer, the Princess of Wales, descended.

*

Charles (1706-56)

3rd Duke of Marlborough. Acquired dukedom when Henrietta’s only son died before her. Distinguished military commander.

*

George (1766-1840)

5th Duke of Marlborough. Changed name to Spencer-Churchill in 1817.

*

John (1822-83)

7th Duke of Marlborough. Member of Parliament and Viceroy of Ireland. Lord Lieutenant of Oxford County.

(marriage)

Frances (1822-99)

Daughter of Charles, the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry.

*

George (1844-92)

8th Duke of Marlborough. Known as the “Bad Duke,” reportedly a womanizer, gambler and a drunk. Wired Blenheim with electric lights.

(marriage)

Lilian Hammersley (1854-1909)

2nd wife of George after he divorced Albertha Hamilton. Wealthy widow from New York.

*

Lord Randolph Churchill (1849-95)

Leader of House of Commons, chancellor of the exchequer and secretary of state for India.

(marriage)

Jennie Jerome (1854-1921)

Daughter of wealthy Wall Street financier Leonard Jerome, a part owner of the New York Times.

*

Jack Churchill (1880-1947)

Stockbroker

*

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (1874-1965)

British statesman, soldier and author. Prime minister 1940-45 and 1951-55.

(marriage)

Clementine Ogilvy Hozier (1885-1977)

Daughter of Col. Henry Montague Hozier and Lady Blanche Ogilvy, granddaughter of 10th Earl of Airlie.

*

Randoplh Churchill (1911-1968)

Author, journalist and politician. Member of Parliament.

(marriage)

Pamela Digby Harriman (1920-)

Current U.S. ambassador to France

(child)

Winston Churchill (1940-)

Member of Parliament

*

Sarah Churchill (1914-1982)

Stage and screen actress. Married comedian Vic Oliver.

*

Mary Soames (1922-)

Award-winning author and biographer of her mother.

(marriage)

Christopher Soames (1920-87)

Former British ambassador to France.

(child)

Nicholas Soames (1948-)

Member of Parliament

*

Diana Churchill (1909-63)

Married Lord Duncan Sandys. She committed suicide in 1963.

Sources: DeBrett’s Peerage & Baronetage (1980-Encyclopedia Britannica; Encyclopedia Americana; Contemporary Authors; The Private Lives of Winston Churchill / John Pearson 1991; Family Album / Mary Soames 1982; Europa World Book 1995.

Compiled by Times researcher PAUL SINGLETON and Times Staff