July 10, 2017

Michael Dobbs, statesman and bestselling author, will deliver the keynote speech at the 34th International Churchill Conference, which will take place at the J. W. Marriott Essex House in New York City next October 10, 11, and 12. Follow this link to register today.

A member of the House of Lords since 2010, Lord Dobbs worked for Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major. He is probably best known as author of the original House of Cards trilogy of novels, which became the basis of a British television adaptation so popular that it inspired an American version of which he is an executive producer. Additionally, Dobbs has written a quartet of novels involving Winston Churchill. Widely recognized as a masterful orator and knowledgeable Churchillian, Lord Dobbs will highlight our annual Black Tie Gala.

Another special treat at this year’s conference will take place when Celia Sandys, author of several excellent books about her grandfather Sir Winston Churchill, interviews Lady Williams of Elvel, the former Jane Portal and one of Sir Winston’s last-surviving secretaries.

The theme for this year’s conference will be “Churchill the International Statesman,” and several high profile speakers have already been announced including former British Foreign Secretary David Owen as well as historian Paul Bew and his son John Bew. Both Owen and the elder Bew are members of the House of Lords and authors of recent books about Churchill.

2025 International Churchill Conference

Join us for the 42nd International Churchill Conference. Washington, DC | October 9-11, 2025

2025 International Churchill Conference

First-time conference speakers will include best-selling author Michael Korda, who will be making a special presentation on the first day of the conference at Chartwell Booksellers about his new book Alone: Britain, Churchill, and Dunkirk, which will publish in September. Also making first-time appearances at a Churchill conference will be Lewis E. Lehrman, co-founder of the Gilder-Lehrman Institute of American history and author of Churchill, Roosevelt & Company, and Pulitzer Prize winning author Thomas E. Ricks, author of the New York Times bestseller Churchill and Orwell: The Fight for Freedom.

Return favorites at this year’s conference will include Andrew Roberts speaking on “Churchill’s Sense of Living History,” and David Lough speaking on “Churchill and the Art of the Deal.” Additionally, Kevin Ruane, author of Churchill and the Bomb in War and Cold War will be speaking about “Churchill the Nuclear Statesman.”

The full conference schedule will be published later this summer.

Registration is free for high school and college students, however, student tickets are not available online. If you are interested in a student ticket, please contact Natalie Ellis at the National Churchill Library and Center.