So, I want to start off by saying that I adore a show called QI. It's been running for over 20 years, and it's entire thing is that it awards points to people not because it's a correct answer, but because it's interesting. They then spend the entire episode telling us the random, interesting, pieces that the QI research Elves have come up with for this subject. Because of a few issues, I switched over to rewatching the series, including the last two seasons that I actually haven't watched yet. About once or twice an episode, I come across something interesting to add to my list of things to consider for here. It's made it hard to pick what I want to do today because there's so many interesting ideas for what to tell you this time.
What I decided on is a letter that was written from Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister, to Winston Churchill, an American author. Below is a literal cut-and-paste of the first link below, Vita Brevis.
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London, June 7, 1899
Mr. Winston Churchill presents his compliments to Mr. Winston Churchill, and begs to draw his attention to a matter which concerns them both. He has learnt from the Press notices that Mr. Winston Churchill proposes to bring out another novel, entitled Richard Carvel, which is certain to have a considerable sale both in England and America. Mr. Winston Churchill is also the author of a novel now being published in serial form in Macmillan's Magazine, and for which he anticipates some sale both in England and America. He also proposes to publish on the 1st of October another military chronicle on the Soudan War. He has no doubt that Mr. Winston Churchill will recognize from this letter — if indeed by no other means — that there is grave danger of his works being mistaken for those of Mr. Winston Churchill. He feels sure that Mr. Winston Churchill desires this as little as he does himself. In future to avoid mistakes as far as possible, Mr. Winston Churchill has decided to sign all published articles, stories, or other works, 'Winston Spencer Churchill,' and not 'Winston Churchill' as formerly. He trusts that this arrangement will commend itself to Mr. Winston Churchill, and he ventures to suggest, with a view to preventing further confusion which may arise out of this extraordinary coincidence, that both Mr. Winston Churchill and Mr. Winston Churchill should insert a short note in their respective publications explaining to the public which are the works of Mr. Winston Churchill and which those of Mr. Winston Churchill. The text of this note might form a subject for future discussion if Mr. Winston Churchill agrees with Mr. Winston Churchill's proposition. He takes this occasion of complimenting Mr. Winston Churchill upon the style and success of his works, which are always brought to his notice whether in magazine or book form, and he trusts that Mr. Winston Churchill has derived equal pleasure from any work of his that may have attracted his attention.
The American Churchill answered in a similar fashion:[iv]
Mr. Winston Churchill is extremely grateful to Mr. Winston Churchill for bringing forward a subject which has given Mr. Winston Churchill much anxiety. Mr. Winston Churchill appreciates the courtesy of Mr. Winston Churchill in adopting the name of ‘Winston Spencer Churchill’ in his books, articles, etc. Mr. Winston Churchill makes haste to add that, had he possessed any other names, he would certainly have adopted one of them. The writings of Mr. Winston Spencer Churchill (henceforth so called) have been brought to Mr. Winston Churchill’s notice since the publication of his first story in the ‘Century’. It did not seem then to Mr. Winston Churchill that the works of Mr. Winston Spencer Churchill would conflict in any way with his own attempts at fiction.
The proposal of Mr. Winston Spencer Churchill to affix a note to the separate writings of Mr. Winston Spencer Churchill and Mr. Winston Churchill, the text of which is to be agreed on between them, — is quite acceptable to Mr. Winston Churchill. If Mr. Winston Spencer Churchill will do him the favour of drawing up this note, there is little doubt that Mr. Winston Churchill will acquiesce in its particulars.
Mr. Winston Churchill moreover, is about to ask the opinion of his friends and of his publishers as to the advisability of inserting the words ‘The American,’ after his name on the title-page of his books. Should this seem wise to them, he will request his publishers to make the change in future editions.
Mr. Winston Churchill will take the liberty of sending Mr. Winston Churchill copies of the two novels he has written. He has a high admiration for the works of Mr. Winston Spencer Churchill and is looking forward with pleasure to reading Savrola.
The British Churchill did indeed begin inserting “Spencer” into his name on any of his writings. Soon he simplified that to the initial S.[v] The American Churchill did not have a middle name with which he could embellish his name in his own writings.
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I love the idea of writing a letter like that, and I thought that everyone would like the contents. Plus, it's proof that he had a sense of humor, and that's always a good thing.
I don't have a lot more to say on this, so if you want more, please look at the sources below.
Sources:
Vita Brevis--American Ancestors--Churchill Letter
Richard Langworth-- Churchill Letter
Theodore Roosevelt Center-- The Two Winston Churchills
American National Churchill Museum
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