F D Roosevelt

Roosevelt was formally introduced to his future wife Eleanor Roosevelt, in 1902 on a train to Tivoli, New York. The two had built on a good rapport and understanding and soon walked the aisle in 1905.

The couple was blessed with six children, Anna Eleanor, James, Franklin Delano, Jr., Elliott, Franklin Delano, Jr. and John Aspinwall

He was reported to have a number of romantic relationships outside marriage; the most prominent of them was with Eleanor’s secretary, Lucy Mercer. Other’s whom he was romantically linked to were Marguerite "Missy" LeHand and Princess Martha of Sweden.

Born to James Roosevelt and Sara Ann Delano, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the only child of the couple. Coming from a wealthy family of English descent, young Roosevelt was raised in an atmosphere of privilege.

Academically, Roosevelt was an average student. He attained his preliminary education from Groton School, after which he enrolled at Harvard College graduating from the same in 1903 with an A.B. in history.

In 1904, Roosevelt entered Columbia Law School but dropped out of the same as he had cracked the New York Bar exam. His first employment was at the Wall Street firm of Carter Ledyard & Milburn, dealing mainly with corporate law.

Roosevelt’s entry into politics was during the New York State Senate elections of 1910. Though he had no prior experience in the same, the fact that he was a Roosevelt and had a lot of wealth, prestige and influence at the Hudson Valley to fall back on was enough to guide him through.

Opposing the Tammany bossism, Roosevelt was in support of the state Democratic party. He successfully upset the Tammany machine by blocking their selected candidate over James A. O'Gorman.

The entire episode brought Roosevelt national exposure and gave him a first-hand experience in tactics and scheming that prevail in the world of politics. Though he had become popular with the people, he had not developed on eloquent speaking.

Serving as the chairman of the Agricultural Committee, Roosevelt brought in new reforms that supported laboUr and social welfare programs for women and children.

In the 1912 presidential elections, Roosevelt supported Woodrow Wilson's candidature. Wilson’s appointment as the President opened new doors of opportunity for Roosevelt as he found a place for himself in the Wilson administration. Resigning from his post in the New York State Senate, Roosevelt took up the position of Assistant U.S. Secretary of the Navy in 1913.

His terms at the Navy lasted for seven years. During his service, Roosevelt was passionately involved with the intricacies of the work and supported Josephus Daniels (Secretary of the Navy) completely for building a large and efficient naval force. He worked to expand the Navy, secured approval in the financial budget and looked into the smooth functioning.

Roosevelt was not comfortable acting as a second fiddle and thus decided to run for the US Senate seat of New York. However, the proposition was doomed from the start as he did not gain White House support. Nevertheless, he contested in it and was convincingly beaten. Though the results came out unfavourably, the election made Roosevelt realize that support of the White House was invincible.

Resigning from his post at the Navy, Roosevelt stood as a candidate for the Vice Presidential elections in 1920. However, he was beaten by the Republic candidate, Warren G. Harding by a wide margin. Post the defeat, he returned to New York and started practicing law.

Tragedy struck Roosevelt in 1921 when he contracted polio, which caused permanent paralysis of his lower body starting from the waist. While some believed that this was the end of this political journey, Roosevelt showed great courage and determination and fought the disease to retain his political career.