CHURCHILL (Sir Winston Spencer, 1874-1965, Prime Minister)

Early clerk written letter signed to Mr Temple Franks offering him "the post of Comptroller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks, which was the subject of our conversation yesterday. The salary is as you know £1500 a year, and the usual pension rights in proportion to the term of service are attached to the office. It would be a satisfaction to me to hear that you are prepared to accept the appointment, and that I may look forward to the advantage of your assistance in this branch of my department ...", 2 sides 8vo., Board of Trade headed paper, Whitehall Gardens, 11th February

When Campbell-Bannerman was succeeded by Asquith in 1908, Churchill was promoted to the Cabinet as President of the Board of Trade. Aged 33, this made him the youngest British Cabinet member since 1866. Newly appointed Cabinet ministers were legally obliged to seek re-election at a by-election; in April, Churchill lost Manchester North to the Conservative candidate by 429 votes. The Liberals then stood him in a by-election in the Scottish safe seat of Dundee, where he won comfortably.

Item Date:  1909

Stock No:  40483