Theodore Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858 in New York, New York. His father was Theodore Roosevelt and his mother was Martha Bulloch Roosevelt. He was a graduate of Harvard College. As Vice-President, upon the death of President McKinley, he was sworn in as our nation’s 26th (and youngest) President. He served from September 14, 1901 to March 3, 1909.

     Colonel “Teddy” Roosevelt was an author, a lawyer and, as a soldier, was a hero of the Spanish-American War. He served in the New York State Assembly and on the Civil Service Commission. He was also Assistant Secretary of the Navy and Governor of New York. The “Teddy Bear” was named for him.

     Theodore Roosevelt married Alice Hathaway Lee in 1880. They had one child: Alice. Mrs. Roosevelt died in 1884 – on the same day and in the same house as Theodore’s mother. In 1886, Mr. Roosevelt married Edith Kermit Carow. They had five children: Theodore, Jr. (who would earn The Congressional Medal of Honor as a General in World War II), Kermit, Ethel, Archibald and Quentin. As President, Roosevelt guided America into a more active role in world politics. His favorite quotation was: “Speak softly and carry a big stick!” Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Roosevelt was awarded The Nobel Peace Prize.

     President Theodore Roosevelt died on January 6, 1919 in Oyster Bay, New York. “T. R.” was 60 years old.

            

Biographical Sketch © 2002 Damon Leigh (ASCAP)

Presidential Portrait © 2002 Chas Fagan