Elizabeth Ann Everest (c. 1832 – 3 July 1895) was
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (30 November 187424 January 1965) was a British statesman, soldier, and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1940 to 1945 during the Second World War, and again from ...
's beloved nurse
and
nanny
A nanny is a person who provides child care. Typically, this care is given within the children's family setting. Throughout history, nannies were usually servants in large households and reported directly to the lady of the house. Today, modern ...
, and an important figure in his early life.
She was born in
Chatham, Kent. She was never married; "
Mrs
Mrs. (American English) or Mrs (British English; standard English pronunciation: ) is a commonly used English honorific for women, usually for those who are married and who do not instead use another title (or rank), such as ''Doctor'', ''Prof ...
" was an
honorific
An honorific is a title that conveys esteem, courtesy, or respect for position or rank when used in addressing or referring to a person. Sometimes, the term "honorific" is used in a more specific sense to refer to an honorary academic title. It ...
given to nannies and cooks as a courtesy. One of her early jobs was for the family of
Thompson Phillips, a clergyman in
Cumberland, where she brought up Ella Phillips for 12 years.
She went into service with the Churchill family at the beginning of 1875, a month after Winston's birth.
Later she was responsible for his younger brother
Jack
Jack may refer to:
Places
* Jack, Alabama, US, an unincorporated community
* Jack, Missouri, US, an unincorporated community
* Jack County, Texas, a county in Texas, USA
People and fictional characters
* Jack (given name), a male given name, ...
as well.
Lord Randolph Churchill
Lord Randolph Henry Spencer-Churchill (13 February 1849 – 24 January 1895) was a British statesman. Churchill was a Tory radical and coined the term 'Tory democracy'. He inspired a generation of party managers, created the National Union of ...
and
Jennie Jerome Churchill were very active in society but emotionally distant, even neglectful, of their son. Young Winston became very close with his nanny and addressed her as "Woom," the nearest he could get to saying "Woman." Churchill wrote in his autobiography, ''
My Early Life'' : "I loved my mother dearly - but at a distance. My nurse was my confidante. Mrs Everest it was who looked after me and tended all my wants. It was to her I poured out all my many troubles."
She remained with the family until 1893, when she was let go. Churchill biographer
William Manchester
William Raymond Manchester (April 1, 1922 – June 1, 2004) was an American author, biographer, and historian. He was the author of 18 books which have been translated into over 20 languages. He was awarded the National Humanities Medal and the ...
wrote that her firing was handled abruptly and poorly, given her long and devoted service to the family. She then returned to the Thomson Phillips family - he was by then an archdeacon in
Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness is a port town in Cumbria, England. Historic counties of England, Historically in Lancashire, it was incorporated as a municipal borough in 1867 and merged with Dalton-in-Furness Urban District in 1974 to form the Borough of B ...
- and lived there for about a year. Her final home was with her sister, 15 Crouch Hill in
Finsbury Park
Finsbury Park is a public park in the London neighbourhood of Harringay. It is in the area formerly covered by the historic parish of Hornsey, succeeded by the Municipal Borough of Hornsey. It was one of the first of the great London parks ...
,
North London
North London is the northern part of London, England, north of the River Thames. It extends from Clerkenwell and Finsbury, on the edge of the City of London financial district, to Greater London's boundary with Hertfordshire.
The term ''nor ...
.
Everest died there of
peritonitis
Peritonitis is inflammation of the localized or generalized peritoneum, the lining of the inner wall of the abdomen and cover of the abdominal organs. Symptoms may include severe pain, swelling of the abdomen, fever, or weight loss. One part o ...
on 3 July 1895. Churchill telegraphed the Venerable Thompson Phillips, and the two men attended the funeral service together (although her other charge, Ella, did not). Churchill wrote, "
hillipshad a long memory for faithful service."
Churchill paid for Everest's headstone in the
City of London Cemetery and Crematorium
The City of London Cemetery and Crematorium is a cemetery and crematorium in the east of London. It is owned and operated by the City of London Corporation. It is designated Grade I on the Historic England National Register of Historic Parks and ...
, Newham, Greater London. His son,
Randolph, wrote, "For many years afterwards he paid an annual sum to the local florist for the upkeep of the grave." Inspection of the headstone shows the wording “by Winston Spencer Churchill” at the base with "Jack Spencer Churchill" reported to be below that wording.
References
Other articles
* ''Churchill'' by
Roy Jenkins
* ''
The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill'' by
William Manchester
William Raymond Manchester (April 1, 1922 – June 1, 2004) was an American author, biographer, and historian. He was the author of 18 books which have been translated into over 20 languages. He was awarded the National Humanities Medal and the ...
* ''
Young Winston
''Young Winston'' is a 1972 British biographical adventure drama war film covering the early years of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, based in particular on his 1930 book, ''My Early Life''. The first part of the film covers Churchill' ...
'', a film featuring Churchill and Mrs. Everest
{{DEFAULTSORT:Everest, Elizabeth Ann
1830s births
1895 deaths
Nannies
Deaths from peritonitis
People from Chatham, Kent
Winston Churchill
English domestic workers