Lord Randolph Henry Spencer Churchill was born in London, 12 February 1849, the son of John Winston Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough, and Lady Frances Anne Emily Vane. He was educated at Mr Tabor's Preparatory School, Cheam; Eton College, 1863-5; and Merton College, Oxford, 1867-70. He married Jeanette (Jennie) Jerome in 1874, with whom he had two sons.

He was Conservative Member of Parliament for Woodstock, 1874-84; the Central Division of Birmingham, 1884-5; and South Paddington, 1885-95. He served as unofficial private secretary to his father in his role as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1877-80. He was instrumental in the creation of the Primrose League and became a founder member, 1883. He toured India for three months during the winter of 1884 to 1885. He was appointed Secretary of State for India, 1885-6. He was Leader of the House of Commons, 1886, and Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1886. He resigned from the Cabinet over his failure to convince colleagues to reduce expenditure on defence, 1886. However, his proposal to establish a select committee to examine defence estimates was successful and he became its first chairman, 1887.

He suffered from ill health and after his resignation from the Cabinet travelled to the Mediterranean to recuperate. He also made private visits to Russia, 1887-8, and South Africa, 1891, and went on a round-the-world trip with his wife to the United States, Canada, Japan and India, 1894. They were forced to return to London when his health suddenly deteriorated and he died in London on 24 January 1895.

His publications include: "Speeches of the Right Honourable Lord Randolph Churchill, MP, 1880-1888" (1889) and "Men, Mines and Animals in South Africa" (1892).