Nobel Prize Address for Literature
温斯顿·伦纳德·斯宾塞·丘吉尔 / Winston L.S.Churchill
温斯顿·伦纳德·斯宾塞·丘吉尔（1874—1965），英国传记作家、历史学家和政治家，生于牛津附近的布莱尼姆宫。1893年考入桑德斯特陆军军官学校，1895年，以少尉军衔编入皇家第四骑兵团。1945年，在反法西斯胜利前夕，因保守党在大选中失败，丘吉尔失去首相职位。其后，他用6年时间完成了六卷本《第二次世界大战回忆录》。1951年，保守党在选举中获胜，丘吉尔77岁高龄再次出任首相。1955年因年事高辞职退休，专心撰写四卷本《英语民族史》。1965年1月因脑溢血辞世。
Pre-reading Activities
Before you read this article, think over the questions below.
What do you know about Winston Churchill as a British prime minister or a winner of Nobel Prize？Do you know anything about his personality？
The roll on which my name has been inscribed represents much that is outstanding in the world’s literature of the twentieth century.The judgment of the Swedish Academy is accepted as impartial, authoritative and sincere throughout the civilized world.I am proud but also awestruck at your decision to include me.I do hope you are right.I feel we are both running a considerable risk, and that I do not deserve it.But I shall have no misgivings if you have none.
Since Alfred Nobel died in 1896 we have entered an age of storm and tragedy.The power of man has grown in every sphere except over himself.Never in the field of action have events seemed so harshly to dwarf personalities.Rarely in history have brutal facts so dominated thought or has such a widespread individual virtue found so dim a collective focus.The fearful question confronts us: Have our problems got beyond our control? Undoubtedly we are passing through a phase where this may be so.Well may we humble ourselves and seek for guidance and mercy.