| The Lovers | |
|---|---|
| Lord Randolph (Henry Spencer)Churchill
(1849-95) third son of the seventh duke of Marlborough, first entered the House of Commons in 1874--the same year he married Jennie--when he was just 25 years old. From 1876 to 1880 he was unofficial private secretary to his father, lord lieutenant (viceroy) of Ireland, actively supporting local self-government (but not Home Rule) for Ireland. In 1885 he was appointed secretary of state for India, and in 1886 chancellor of the exchequer and leader of the House of Commons. In December of that year, his resignation (a political ploy to push through his budget) was unexpectedly accepted. Illness in his last years resulted in a painful death at age 45. |
Jeanette (Jennie) Jerome
(1854-1921) was born in New York, one of three daughters to Leonard W. Jerome--a weathly stockbroker--and Clara, an heiress. From 1868 Jennie lived in Paris, and in 1873, on a visit to England, was presented to the prince and princess of Wales. She married Lord Randolph in 1874, and born him two sons, Winston--a future prime minister--and John. Five years after Randolph's death she married George Cornwallis-West, a 26 year old officer in the Scots Guards. In 1912 they divorced; George married the actress Mrs. Patrick Campbell two years later. In 1918 Jennie married for the third time. She died in June 1921, and was buried beside Lord Randolph at Bladon, near Blenheim Palace. |
