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Winston Churchill

The Winston Churchill statue on Embassy Row in Washington, D.C., is a bronze memorial honoring British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Plans for the memorial began after Churchill’s 89th birthday, with the English-Speaking Union leading fundraising and installation. Eight sculptors submitted designs, and William M. McVey was selected to create the statue. The site was designed by George F. Dalton and Associates and Fred Toguchi Associates. Its completion was delayed by debate over the depiction of Churchill holding a cigar, but a vote kept it in place. The statue was unveiled and dedicated on April 9, 1966, with attendees including Dean Rusk, Earl Warren, and Randolph Churchill.

Winston Churchill statue making a V-for-Victory sign with one hand and holding a cane.
Winston Churchill sculpture outdoors, shown with Churchill raising a V-for-Victory sign and holding a cane.
August 2012 © · Public domain
Bronze Winston Churchill statue standing outdoors, raising his right hand in a V-sign and holding a walking stick.
Winston Churchill bronze statue shown outdoors with Churchill raising a V-sign beside a walking stick.
August 2012 © · Public domain
Winston Churchill statue holding a cane and raising a V sign outdoors.
The Winston Churchill statue stands outdoors with Churchill raising a V sign.
© · Public domain
Winston Churchill bronze statue standing on a stone base and raising his right hand in a V for victory gesture while holding a cane.
Winston Churchill statue in bronze, shown on a stone base with his right hand raised in a victory gesture.
August 2012 © · Public domain
Bronze Winston Churchill statue raising his right hand in a V for victory gesture and holding a cane.
Winston Churchill bronze sculpture shown with his right hand raised in a V for victory gesture.
August 2012 © · Public domain

Identification

TitleWinston Churchill
TypeBronze statue

Iconography and meaning

Chartwell soil significanceRepresents Churchill's adult home
V-sign meaningVictory
Placement symbolismOne foot stands on British embassy grounds and the other on American soil, referencing Churchill's Anglo-American ancestry and his honorary U.S. citizenship
Blenheim Palace soil significanceRepresents Churchill's childhood home
New York City soil significanceRepresents his mother's home in Brooklyn
SubjectWinston Churchill (1874–1965), former British Prime Minister

Discovery and provenance

Design competitionEight sculptors submitted designs
Commissioned in1965
Sub-base contentsSoil from Blenheim Palace, Chartwell, and New York City
Initiated byBusinessman Alexander Liggett
Commissioned byThe English-Speaking Union (ESU)

Creator

Architectural firmsGeorge F. Dalton and Associates; Fred Toguchi Associates
SculptorWilliam M. McVey

History and restoration

Later decorationIn 2023, during the Russo-Ukrainian War, two supporters of Ukraine tied yellow and blue balloons to the statue
Music at unveilingThe United States Marine Band played "Battle Hymn of the Republic"
Presidential proclamationDean Rusk read a letter from President Lyndon B. Johnson stating that every April 9 should be known as Churchill Day
Ceremony noteThe ceremony was held three years to the date after Churchill received honorary citizenship of the United States
Reason for music choiceIt was a song Churchill loved
Churchill's reactionBefore his death in 1965, Churchill saw the plans and wrote a letter expressing support and thanks
Notable attendees at unveilingEarl Warren, General Lauris Norstad, British Ambassador Patrick Dean, and Randolph Churchill
Unveiled byU.S. Secretary of State Dean Rusk
Unveiled and dedicated onApril 9, 1966
Model theftThe soft clay model was stolen at a political gathering in a hotel and was never recovered
ModelSoft clay model
Planning beganAfter Churchill's 89th birthday
Delay causeOpposition from some ESU members to including a cigar
Cigar decisionThe English-Speaking Union voted to keep the cigar
Work on statue began1964
Work locationOhio State University labs
Artist's academic positionMcVey was teaching at Ohio State University while working on the statue
Leave of absenceMcVey took leave from being director of sculpture at the Cleveland Institute of Art to teach at Ohio State University and sculpt the statue

Significance

McVey assessmentThe New York Times called it McVey's best work when he died in 1995
Commemorative purposeErected to honor Winston Churchill and to symbolize the Special Relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom

Physical characteristics

BaseFlat rectangular granite plinth
PoseWalking forward
HeightAbout two meters

Materials

Base materialGranite
MaterialBronze

Appearance

Left handHolding a cigar and leaning on a walking stick
Right hand gestureRaised in a V sign
ClothingSuit, waistcoat, and bow tie
Depicted figureWinston Churchill

Location and ownership

LocationIn front of the Embassy of the United Kingdom, 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Embassy Row, Washington, D.C., United States
PlacementStraddles the boundary between British embassy land and American land, with one foot on each side
Time capsuleLocated beneath the statue; to be opened in 2063, the 100-year anniversary of Churchill receiving honorary U.S. citizenship
Nearby landmarkSince 2013, the statue has stood across the street from the Nelson Mandela statue in front of the Embassy of South Africa

Other

Plinth inscriptionContains a commemorative plaque explaining Churchill's origin and life, and naming the statue's initiators and sculptor