
Churchills in Africa
By Brian Roberts
For the Churchill family, the 1890s were fateful years.
The first half of the decade saw the tragic decline and death of Lord Randolph Churchill; the second half launched his young son, Winston, on his spectacular career. Both events were influenced by the turbulent state of affairs prevailing in South Africa; a place then attracting the attentions of ambitious men throughout the world.
South Africa offered not only riches but also the chance of political involvement and military renown; behind the glitter of Kimberley’s diamonds, the Transvaal’s gold and the opening-up of Rhodesia, a situation was developing that led inevitably to the Anglo-Boer War. Such a set of circumstances proved irresistible to the spirited Churchills.
In Churchills in Africa, Brian Roberts shows how, in their various ways, Lord Randolph, his remarkable sister, Lady Sarah Wilson, and the young Winston made their marks upon the African scene.