The English general and statesman John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722), was responsible for the British victory at Blenheim in 1704, which is second only to the triumph of Waterloo in British military annals.

Though the Duke of Marlborough was active during three earlier reigns, it was under Queen Anne that he became famous. In the century-long (1689-1783) struggle with France, no war was longer or bloodier than that of the Spanish Succession (1702-1713), and Marlborough's role in that war was decisive. The son of an obscure squire, through his ability as soldier and diplomat Marlborough rose to the highest rank in the army and in the peerage, was given the palace of Blenheim by a grateful nation, and founded a distinguished family represented in the 20th century by Sir Winston Churchill.

John Churchill was born about June 1, 1650, at Ashe in Devonshire, was educated at St. Paul's School...