The Gallic War. With an English translation by J. J. Edwards
Gaius Julius Caesar (100/102 BCE - 44 BCE)
Category
Books
Date
1942
Materials
Place of origin
England
Collection
Chartwell, Kent
NT 3127896
Summary
The Gallic Wars. Book gifted by: Oliver Lyttleton Book Inscription Signature: Oliver Lyttleton Book Inscription: To WSC from Oliver Lyttleton Date of Inscription: Oct 18th, 1946
Full description
**The Inscribed Books Collection, to which this book belongs, consists of gift inscriptions on third party books given to Sir Winston Churchill from friends, family, and well-wishers, unsolicited presentation copies of books by strangers, as well as presentation copies from authors who were genuine friends and colleagues. After his death in January 1965, Churchill personally bequeathed the collection via his Will as a testament to his national and international achievements. Translated into English by H. J. Edwards, this book is a chronicle by the politician and general of the late Roman Republic, Julius Caesar, of his own military campaigns referred to as the Gallic Wars. The Gallic Wars were a series of military campaigns waged by Caesar against several Gallic tribes. They lasted from 58 BC to 50 BC and culminated in the decisive Battle of Alesia in 52 BC, from which a complete Roman victory resulted in the expansion of the Roman Republic over the whole of Gaul. The wars paved the way for Caesar to become sole ruler of the Roman Republic. Although Caesar portrayed this invasion as being a pre-emptive and defensive action, most historian agree that the wars were fought primarily to boost Caesar's political career and pay off his massive debts.
Bibliographic description
xxii,619p. ; 8vo. Provenance: inscribed "To WSC from Oliver Lyttleton". $zBinding: twentieth-century red leather.
Provenance
The book was gifted to Churchill by Oliver Lyttleton (15 March 1893 – 21 January 1972), 1st Viscount Chandos. Lyttleton was the son of Rt. Hon. Alfred Lyttelton and Edith Sophy Balfour. He married Lady Moira Godolphin Osborne, daughter of George Godolphin Osborne 10th Duke of Leeds and Lady Katherine Frances Lambton, on 30 January 1920. He inscribed the copy with his signature as well as a message, dated 18 October 1946, addressed to Churchill which reads: "To WSC from Oliver Lyttleton" Lyttleton was educated at Eton College and then Trinity College, Cambridge University. He gained the rank of Captain in the Grenadier Guards. He fought in the First World War and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) in 1916. He was awarded the Military Cross (M.C.) in 1918 and gained the rank of Brigade Major in 1918. He was then appointed Privy Counsellor (P.C.) in 1940. Lyttleton held the office of President of the Board of Trade in WSC’s wartime Coalition Government and was the Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Aldershot between 1940 and 1954. Afterwards he held the office of Minister of State, Middle East in 1941 and Minister of Production between 1942 and 1945. He then went onto hold the office of President of the Board of Trade in 1945. Lyttleton wrote the book ‘From Peace to War; A Study in Contrast (1857-1918)’. He held the office of Secretary of State for the Colonies between 1951 and 1954 as a member of WSC’s Conservative Government. He was chairman of AEI between 1954 and 1963. He was created 1st Viscount Chandos, of Aldershot on 9 September 1954. He was appointed Knight, Order of the Garter (K.G.) in 1970. Lyttleton visited Chartwell on 29th August 1947.
Makers and roles
Gaius Julius Caesar (100/102 BCE - 44 BCE) Henry John Edwards (1869 - 1923)