Marlborough (Barnes & Noble Digital Library)

The brilliant military career of John Churchill, the First Duke of Malrborough (1650-1722), spanned five monarchs and included shifting loyalties. This 1885 life story tries to correct the imbalance of previous biographies—giving ample space to each part  of the Duke’s life—and emphasizes his work as a diplomat as well as soldier. Part of the prestigious “English Worthies” series of biographies edited by Andrew Lang.