Winston Spencer Churchill, Servant of Crown and Commonwealth. A tribute by various hands
Sir James Marchant (1867-1956)
Category
Books
Date
1954
Materials
Place of origin
England
Collection
Chartwell, Kent
NT 3148674
Summary
Edited by Sir James Marchant this tribute to Churchill on his 80th birthday was the work of many of his colleagues and contemporaries. Each of the contributors wrote from a particular vantage point from which to view Sir Winston Churchill’s ‘incomparable stature’. ‘Each has been written as a mark of respect, of admiration and of affection his personal impressions of one particular aspect of the man who stands so high above every other Book gifted by: Henry S H Wilding Book Inscription: Henry S H Wilding, Bath Club, St James St, SW Date of Inscription: November 1954
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. On 30 November 1954, Churchill's eightieth birthday was a national and family day of celebration with presents arriving at Downing Street from around the world. He was coming towards the end of his second term as Prime Minister and his birthday happened to coincide with the State Opening of Parliament by the Queen. The televised festivities began at midday at Westminster Hall. As the leader and his wife, Lady Churchill appeared through St Stephen’s entrance, a drummer beat out a ‘v’ in Morse code. When the cheers finally died down, the Leader of the Opposition, Clement Attlee, gave the first speech. He was then presented with the controversial Graham Sutherland portrait which was a gift from both houses. Afterwards the Father of the House, David Grenfell, honoured Churchill with an illuminated book signed by almost every member of parliament. 'Winston Spencer Churchill: A Tribute' was a tribute to Sir Winston Churchill to celebrate his milestone birthday. Published by Cassell & Company Ltd in 1954, it gathered together the work of many of his colleagues and contemporaries. The contributors each wrote from a particular vantage point from which to view Churchill’s 'incomparable stature'. The contributors included: Lord Samuel, Lord Cecil, Lord Norman, Lord Simon, Lord Fisher of North Cape, the Rt. Hon. Clement Attlee, the Rt, Hon. Anthony Eden, the Rt. Hon. R. G. Menzies, the Rt. Hon. L. S. Amery, Sir Arthur MacNulty, Sir Charles Webster, Sir John Rothenstein, Sir Alan Herbert, Lady Violet Bonham Carter, H. H. Aga Khan, Bernard Baruch, Professor Gilbert Murray and Colin Coote. Several of whom are known to have visited Chartwell as guests. The book was edited by Sir James Marchant (18 December 1867 - 20 May 1956) who was a British eugenicist, social reformer and author. He was leader of the National Vigilance Association who were primarily concerned with social morality and also Director of The National Council of Public Morals. In 1921 Marchant was Knight of the Order of the Garter by King George V for his work on birth rate and contraception.
Bibliographic description
ix,172p. . port.. . 22cm.. UNVERIFIED. Former shelfmark: Drawing Room 2.A. Shelfist entry - state unknown. Provenance: inscribed "Henry S H Wilding Bath Club St James St, SW November 1954".
Provenance
The book was gifted to Churchill by Henry S.H Wilding. Wilding inscribed the copy with a brief message, dated November 1954, whih reads: "Henry S H Wilding. Bath Club, St James St, SW" The Bath Club was a sport themed gentlemen’s club established in 1894 in Dover Street, London. It was one of the few clubs of its type which admitted women. After being bombed during the Blitz, it was re-established at the Conservative Club in St James Street. The two merged in 1950 under the name Bath Club, but closed officially in 1981.
Makers and roles
Sir James Marchant (1867-1956)