Theodore Roosevelt is a dynamic figure in 20th-century politics and in American History.
He was born with some health issues and homeschooled due to his asthma. Despite his childhood illnesses, he became a charismatic individual who always pushed himself physically.
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He was known as an avid hunter, read religiously, and wanted to protect the environment. He also enjoyed boxing, which helped him maintain his physique.
He attended Columbia University, where he became interested in Naval Affairs. He was also accepted into law school after graduation but dropped out to pursue politics.
As a New York state legislator, he was appointed to the United States Civil Service Commission by Benjamin Harrison in 1888 and served until 1895. He worked as New York City Police Commissioner for 2 years.
He became Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1898 and Colonel of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War.
Later, in 1898, he became governor of New York.
He ran with William McKinley during the election of 1900, and when McKinley was assassinated, he assumed the presidency.
During his presidency, he enacted many reforms and used the executive branch in a more powerful way than his predecessors. He broke up monopolies, created reform for better worker environments, began the Panama Canal, and sent the Great White Fleet abroad. His influence and accomplishments are too many to list in this overview.
After his presidency, he endorsed William Taft and then spent time in South America, where he caught malaria. This damaged his health significantly.
When he returned, he was not satisfied with Taft and began plans to run for President again. He formed the Progressive Party but would split the vote and allow Woodrow Wilson to win the election. Roosevelt loathed Wilson.
He died in his sleep in 1919. This was said about his death:
Death had to take him sleeping. For if Roosevelt had been awake, there would have been a fight.
Family Overview
The Roosevelt family had deep ties to New York and went as far back as Dutch rule when New York was known as New Netherland. These deep roots gave the family deep connections.
Roosevelt's father was successful and a Union supporter despite marrying a passionate Georgian who supported the Confederacy. His father died in 1878 when Roosevelt was in college, and his mother died the same day as his wife.
He first began to court Edith Carow but met his first wife, Alice who he would marry. She would die two years after their marriage, and two years after her death, he would rekindle his feelings for Edith.
The two would have 5 children together, with each of his sons participating in the military. His youngest died in World War 1, his oldest died of a heart attack in World War 2, and another son died of depression due to the war in 1943.
Family Tree Chart
Parents:
Theodore Roosevelt Sr. (1831 - 1878) - He was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was a fourth-generation Dutch New Yorker and participant in the Roosevelt family business of plate-glass importing, Roosevelt and Son. He was also a strong supporter of the Union during the Civil War.
Martha Stewart Bulloch (1835 - 1884) - She was beloved by her children and known as an unapologetic supporter of the Southern cause. This is despite her husband being pro-union. She died in the same house as Theodore's first wife on the same day. He would split his time between watching his wife and mother die.
Spouses:
Alice Hathaway Lee (1861 - 1884) - She met and married Theodore Roosevelt in 1880. The two struggled to have children until a doctor performed a procedure that aided her. She became pregnant but developed Bright's Disease during her pregnancy. She had a daughter who would go on to live a long life but died two nights after she was born.
Edith Kermit Carow (1861 - 1948) - Her family was wealthy and moved next to the Roosevelts. After the death of Teddy's first wife, he and Edit would marry two years later. She would be the First Lady and the mother of 5 more children.
Children:
Alice Lee Roosevelt (1884 - 1980) - She was born in tragedy, and after Teddy's loss of his wife and mother, he put her in the care of his sister and left for North Dakota to get over the loss. She was raised by his second wife and would outlive all of her half-siblings.
Theodore Roosevelt III (1887 - 1944) - He was the first son of Theodore and was given his name. He grew up and would fight in World War 1 and World War 2. Despite his age, he would lead the assault with the English on Utah Beach while his son participated in the assault on Omaha Beach. He, unfortunately, died due to poor health shortly after.
Kermit Roosevelt (1889 - 1943) - He was a World War 2 veteran who suffered from depression and became an alcoholic. He passed away suddenly in 1943.
Ethel Carow Roosevelt (1891 - 1977) - She married Richard Derby and had three children. She was known as "the Queen of Oyster Bay".
Archibald Bulloch Roosevelt (1894 - 1979) - He served during World War 1 and became Captain. He married and had three children. He would outlive other siblings, with the exception of Alice.
Quentin Roosevelt (1897 - 1918) - He was considered his father's favorite child and served in World War 1. He became a pilot and was killed in action over France.