The humiliating demise of Lord Randolph Churchill, 1849–1895

Abstract

Throughout history, illness and medicine have had an impact on important world events, just as major events have had an impact on public health. In this essay, Dr Greenblatt recounts the short but influential and eventful life of Lord Randolph Churchill, and the tragic consequences of his illness. The fastidious Lord Randolph, even more brilliant than his illustrious son. Sir Winston Churchill, died in sloth—the victim of general paresis, tabes dorsalis, gummatous skin lesions, and incontinence.