F.D.R.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born January 30, 1882, at Hyde Park in New York State. The son of a wealthy family, he traveled widely with his parents, spending a significant part of his childhood in Germany. He was largely educated at home although he did attend a German school. At 14 years of age he entered Groton School, a private school for the sons of the wealthy. It was here that he became familiar with the concept of Christian stewardship through public service, an ideal that never left him. In 1900 Roosevelt entered Harvard, and completed his education by attaining a law degree from Columbia University. Roosevelt was not a distinguished scholar. He was better known on the party circuit than in academic circles and was heavily involved in extracurricular activities
In 1905 he married Eleanor Roosevelt, niece of then-President Teddy Roosevelt. They had five children, the last of which was born in 1916.
Roosevelt was not really interested in the practice of law. He was, however, interested in politics and ran a vigorous campaign in the 1910 Senatorial elections, he won on the Democratic ticket and was Senator Roosevelt before his 29th birthday.. He was a hardworking and popular Senator who was reelected in 1912. It says much for his popularity that he managed reelection despite making no personal appearances during the campaign. He was ill with typhoid fever.
This electoral success was largely due to the influence of the press, particularly Louis Howe. Howe and Roosevelt enjoyed an excellent relationship from which Roosevelt benefited greatly throughout his life. Howe was one of the first pressmen to realize, and make use of, the power of the press in politics.
Senator Roosevelt was an active and ardent supporter of then President Woodrow Wilson. His support was rewarded with an appointment as Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1913, a post he would hold for seven years. After the outbreak of World War I Roosevelt became a strong supporter of preparedness for war, a direct contrast to his country's isolationist policies.
In 1920 Roosevelt was nominated for Vice-president, as running mate to James Cox. One the key campaign issues was American entry into the League of Nations, a move Roosevelt favored. Cox lost his presidential bid, and Roosevelt entered into the private sector while remaining active in Democratic politics. Then, in 1921, tragedy struck. Roosevelt contracted polio.
Roosevelt was gravely ill, and completely paralyzed. With typical FDR determination full use of the upper body was regained along with minimal use of his legs. For the rest of his life he used a combination of wheelchair, canes, locking braces, and his son's strong arm to get around, managing his disability so adroitly that large numbers of the American electorate never realized he was not perfectly fit. As his health and mobility improved Franklin began to pick up the threads of his business and political life. He remained behind the scenes, using Eleanor as his eyes and ears. It was at this stage the Eleanor began to mature into a powerful political figure in her own right.
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