Winston Frederick Churchill Guest

{{Infobox person

| name = Winston Frederick Churchill Guest

| image = Mrs Henry Phipps and Her Grandson Winston John Singer Sargent 1907.jpeg

| caption = Portrait with his grandmother, Mrs. Henry Phipps, by John Singer Sargent, circa 1907

| birth_date = {{birth date|1906|5|20}}

| birth_place = New York, New York, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|1982|10|25|1906|5|20}}

| death_place = Mineola, New York, U.S.

| occupation = Polo player, racehorse owner/breeder

| known_for =

| party =

| spouse = {{plainlist|

{{marriage|Helena Woolworth McCann
|1934|1944|reason=div}}
{{marriage|Lucy Douglas Cochrane
|1947}}

}}

| children = 4, including Cornelia Guest

| parents = {{nowrap|Frederick E. Guest
Amy Phipps}}

| relations = Raymond R. Guest (brother)
Diana Guest Manning (sister)
Ivor Guest (grandfather)
Henry Phipps, Jr. (grandfather)

| boards =

| education = Yale University
Columbia University Law School

}}

Winston Frederick Churchill Guest (May 20, 1906 – October 25, 1982) was an Anglo-American polo champion and a member of the Guest family of Britain.

Early life

Winston Frederick Churchill Guest was born on May 20, 1906, to Frederick Guest (1875–1937),{{cite news|title=CAPTAIN F. E. GUEST DIES IN ENGLAND, 61; Former British Air Secretary Also Known as a Soldier and Polo Player|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1937/04/29/94364319.pdf |access-date=5 January 2017|work=The New York Times|date=April 29, 1937|page=21}} a British politician, and Amy Phipps. His mother was the daughter of Henry Phipps, Jr., an American businessman and philanthropist. His paternal grandfather was Ivor Guest, 1st Baron Wimborne (1835–1914), a Welsh industrialist. His paternal grandmother was Cornelia Guest, Baroness Wimborne, a philanthropist in Dorset, England. His great-grandfather was John Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough, making him a first cousin once removed of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.{{cite news|title=Elizabeth S. Polk and Raymond Guest, Poloist, Wed in Heavenly Rest Church|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1935/06/26/101514389.pdf |access-date=5 August 2016|work=The New York Times|date=June 26, 1935}}

His brother, Raymond R. Guest (1907–1991), was the United States Ambassador to Ireland from 1965 to 1968,{{cite news |title=Raymond Guest, 84, Ambassador, Polo Player and Breeder of Horses |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/01/nyregion/raymond-guest-84-ambassador-polo-player-and-breeder-of-horses.html |quote=Raymond R. Guest, a former Ambassador to Ireland who was a champion polo player and horse breeder, died yesterday in Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, Va. He was 84 years old and lived in King George, Va. He died of pneumonia after a long illness, his family said. ...|newspaper=New York Times |date=January 1, 1992 |access-date=2011-04-13 }} who married three times.{{cite news|title=R. R. GUEST MARRIES MRS. ELLEN T. ASTOR|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1953/05/02/84399335.pdf |access-date=5 August 2016|work=The New York Times|date=May 2, 1953}}{{cite news|last1=Paulick Report Staff|title=Princess Murat, widow of Thoroughbred owner Raymond Guest, dies at 88|url=http://www.paulickreport.com/news/people/princess-murat-widow-of-thoroughbred-owner-raymond-guest-dies-at-88/|access-date=5 August 2016|work=Horse Racing News Paulick Report|date=14 June 2012}}

In 1918, during World War I, his mother turned over their London home, Alford House on Park Lane, to be used by the American Red Cross as a hospital for the American Navy.{{cite news|title=HOSPITAL FOR OUR NAVY.; Former Amy Phipps Gives Use of Her Great London Home.|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1918/06/12/102708820.pdf|access-date=5 January 2017|work=The New York Times|date=12 June 1918}} In 1919, his parents entered into a separation agreement and his mother received custody of him, thereafter living in the United States.{{cite news|last1=Times|first1=Special To The New York|title=CITIZENSHIP VALID FOR WINSTON GUEST; Judge at Washington Regularizes the Polo Player's Papers, Which Were Disputed.|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1936/12/08/88717785.pdf |access-date=5 January 2017|work=The New York Times|date=8 December 1936}}{{cite news|title=CAPTAIN F. E. GUEST ILL; Son Winston, With His Mother, Is Hurrying to Him in London|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1937/02/24/99107007.pdf |access-date=5 January 2017|work=The New York Times|date=24 February 1937}} He graduated from Yale University in 1927 and received a law degree from Columbia University in 1942.

Career

After graduating from Columbia University Law School, he was appointed law secretary for Joseph C. Baldwin III, minority leader of the Board of Alderman. He, along with Alexander Hamilton, a descendant of Alexander Hamilton, the first Treasury Secretary, was paid $1 a year for his work.{{cite news|title=Winston Guest $1-a-Year Man.|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1934/03/16/95037716.pdf |access-date=5 January 2017|work=The New York Times|date=16 March 1934}}

=Polo=

Guest was a member of the international team of the United States which won the International Polo Cup in 1930, 1936 and 1939. He was the only player in the history of the Indoor Polo Association with the top rating of ten goals.

In 1934, while being the highest rated player of indoor polo,{{cite news|last1=Kelley|first1=Robert F.|title=GUEST AGAIN TOPS INDOOR POLO LIST; Remains at 10 Goals While Smith and Lieut. Jones Keep Rankings of Nine. MILLS GOES FROM 6 TO 8 Baldwin, Another Yale Star, Advanced From 2 to 6 -- Seven New Clubs Added to Association.|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1932/01/08/105765883.pdf |access-date=5 January 2017|work=The New York Times|date=8 January 1932}} he was elected the head of Indoor Polo Association. Along with him came Elbridge T. Gerry as executive vice president and Michael G. Phipps as vice president.{{cite news|last1=Kelley|first1=Robert F.|title=Guest, High-Goal Ace, Is Elected Head of Indoor Polo Association; Succeeds Granniss in Move to Put Younger Men in Office -- U.S. Tournament Likely to Be Staged in Chicago Again.|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1934/11/16/101512958.pdf |access-date=5 January 2017|work=The New York Times|date=16 November 1934}}

Personal life

In 1934, Guest married Helena Woolworth McCann, daughter of Charles E. F. McCann and Helena Maud Woolworth McCann (1878–1938). Her maternal grandfather was F. W. Woolworth, the American business magnate. She attended Miss Hewitt's School, Miss Chapin's School, and graduated from Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Connecticut.{{cite news|title=HELENA W. M'CANN BECOMES ENGAGED; {{!}} Marriage to Winston F, C. Guest, International Polo Star, to Be Held in June. {{!}} HER DEBUT AT LARGE BALL {{!}} Bride-Elect Presented to King and Queen of England in 1931 {{!}} Fiance Is Yale Alumnus.|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1934/04/10/95041635.pdf |access-date=5 January 2017|work=The New York Times|date=10 April 1934}}{{cite news|last1=Special to The New York Times|title=HELENA W. M'CANN HAS GARDEN BRIDAL; {{!}} Wed to Winston F. C. Guest at Oyster Bay {{!}} Mrs. W. R. Betts Matron of Honor, {{!}} SONGS BY PAULIST CHOIR {{!}} Diana Guest, Adaline Havemeyer and Barbara Mason Are Among Attendants|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1934/06/03/95045738.pdf |access-date=5 January 2017|work=The New York Times|date=3 June 1934}} They subsequently divorced in 1944. With her, his two sons:

Winston Alexander Guest (b. 1936),{{cite news|title=WINSTON GUESTS HAVE SON; Child Is a Great-Grandson of the Late Frank W. Woolworth.|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1936/01/05/110046136.pdf |access-date=5 January 2017|work=The New York Times|date=5 January 1936}} who married Helen Mane Elizabeth Shields in 1967.{{cite news |title=Winston Guest to Marry Helen Shields on Nov. 4 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1967/09/03/90591006.pdf |access-date=2 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=3 September 1967}}
Frederick Edward Guest II (1938-2021), who married Stephanie Wanger (b. 1943), daughter of Walter Wanger and Joan Bennett, in 1963.{{cite news |last1=Bachrach |first1=Bradford |title=Stephanie Wanger Fiancee Of Frederick E. Guest 2d |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/05/05/archives/stephanie-wanger-fiancee-of-frederick-e-guest-2d.html |access-date=2 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=5 May 1963}} They divorced and he married Carole Baldoff in 1988.{{cite news |title=Carole B. Kerr, Executive, Weds F. E. Guest 2d on L.I. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/22/style/carole-b-kerr-executive-weds-f-e-guest-2d-on-li.html |access-date=2 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=22 May 1988}}

In 1947, Guest married Lucy Douglas Cochrane (1920-2003), later known as C. Z. Guest. With her, he had a son and a daughter:

Alexander Michael Douglas Cochrane Guest (b. 1954), who married Elizabeth Geacintov, a daughter of Dr. Cyril Geacintov (a former president of Russian Nobility Association in America), in 1986.{{cite news |title=June Wedding for Elizabeth Geacintov And Alexander M. D. Churchill Guest |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/30/style/june-wedding-for-elizabeth-geacintov-and-alexander-m-d-churchill-guest.html |access-date=2 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=30 March 1986}}
Cornelia Cochrane Churchill Guest (b. 1963), a debutante.{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Bob|title=Cornelia Guest Leaves the Debutante Life Behind|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/19/fashion/cornelia-guest-leaves-the-debutante-life-behind.html?_r=0|access-date=August 12, 2016|work=The New York Times|date=August 17, 2012}}

In 1947 Guest leased historic Gardiners Island from its 15th owner, Sarah Diodati Gardiner. Guest used it to host hunting parties, inviting high profile guests, like Ernest Hemingway and Dag Hammarskjöld. On January 24, 1947, Van Campen Heilner was staying in the mansion, when a fire swept through the island's 1774 Georgian mansion. Heilner survived by jumping out a window. The mansion was a complete loss.

Winston Guest died on October 25, 1982, at Nassau Hospital in Mineola, New York.{{cite news |title=Polo, Society Figure Guest Dies In New York Hospital |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EX0zAAAAIBAJ&pg=3370,3413869&dq=winston+frederick+churchill+guest&hl=en |quote=Guest Jr. of Palm Beach, Frederick Guest of New York and Alexander MD Guest of New York; a daughter, Cornelia Cochrane Churchill Guest of New York; ... |newspaper=Palm Beach Daily News |date=October 27, 1982 |access-date=2011-03-30 }}