CHURCHILL, Winston S.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Letter in the hand of his secretary Annette Anning, explaining why he did not send a letter to his constituency association. A letter dictated by Churchill to his secretary Annette Anning, written entirely in her hand, and signed by her in Churchill's name: "The reason I did not send the letter to St. Peters (Oldham) Conservative Club for publication through you was because I did not think it was of sufficient public interest".Anning (1876-1938) was among the first of the many secretaries, mostly female, who worked for Churchill over his long life. She had previously worked for Arthur Balfour and for Lady Randolph. Anning joined Churchill in 1902, and "was to become Churchill's principal amanuensis for several years, taking dictation and writing out the letters in longhand" (Gilbert, p. 154). She does not mimic Churchill's handwriting, but does a creditable imitation of his signature (at Churchill's direction). "Many an auction house has sold as 'Churchill manuscripts' long handwritten letters in Miss Anning's neat script" (Gilbert, p. 154).The letter is addressed to "E. Robbins", probably Edmund Robbins, the manager of the Press Association. Churchill was battling Oldham's constituency Conservative association, as they supported protectionism and he was doggedly committed to free trade. Ahead of the Ludlow by-election on 22 December 1903, Churchill published a letter supporting the Liberal candidate, appealing for Liberals and pro-free trade Conservatives to unite, which ass

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