Theodore Roosevelt was an American original: No other country could have produced a man who acted like him. and in no other country could a man like Theodore Roosevelt have risen to the top of the political process. TR—as he was known—began life as a rambunctious, bright, enthusiastic, inquisitive, and somewhat rebellious youth. In some ways, one could say that he never grew up at all.

The son of a prosperous New York businessman and a lovely Southern woman from Georgia, Theodore—Thee to his family—was raised in a manner consistent with the practices of the wealthiest classes in New York City . He had private tutors and received much parental attention, and although he suffered from a terrible case of asthma as a boy, through his father's attention and with much exercise and fresh air, he overcame his affliction and lived what he later came to call “the vigorous life.”

Unlike other young men of his social class he became interested in politics early, and after graduating from Harvard marrying his sweetheart, Alice Hathaway Lee, he delved into New York politics and served in a variety of offices, from NYC police commissioner to the state assembly in Albany . His young life was marred by several tragedies: the death of his father while he was still Harvard, and the terribly sad death of his first wife and his mother on the very same day. But he married again, had a large family, and from all accounts was a loving and attentive husband and father, even as he lived as active life as was possible for any man in those times.

In 1896 TR was brought into William McKinley's administration as assistant secretary the Navy, and from that position he helped steer the policies that eventually led to America 's involvement in the Spanish-American war of 1898. Resigning his office, TR became a colonel in the First United States Volunteer Cavalry, the famous Rough Riders, and served heroically and with distinction at the famous battles around Santiago . Returning to New York a hero, TR was elected governor, and in 1900 he replaced William McKinley's incumbent vice president on the Republican ticket and was elected with him. McKinley's death by assassination in 1901 elevated Theodore Roosevelt to the office of President United States, the youngest man ever to serve in that office.

As president of the United States TR presided over two monumental epochs in American history. First, he guided America through the beginning of what is the known as the “Progressive Era,” vigorously pursuing reforms of all kinds to help clean up business, the political system, and other social ills that had become overwhelming during the latter decades of the 19th-century.

TR's other contribution, for which he is probably better known, and for which he has received most of the criticism concerning his public life, was as the president who led United States to becoming a world power. The Spanish-American war was the opening phase of that transition of United States from a large but somewhat isolated nation into an active participant in world affairs. The United States “great white fleet” sailed the globe, and Theodore Roosevelt vigorously asserted himself into international affairs, in the process winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1905 for his role in ending the Russo-Japanese war.

Reelected in 1904, TR served another term in his own right and was followed by his chosen successor, William Howard Taft. But while TR was off on one of his favorite pursuits, hunting wild animals in Africa, Taft seemed to allow Roosevelt 's Progressive programs to languish. Thus when he returned from Africa , TR again entered the political arena, challenging the man whom he had mentored, and finally running against him as a Progressive Party candidate for president in the election of 1912. That split between the Republicans and the “Bull Moose” party led to the election of Democrat Woodrow Wilson.

Thus ended Theodore Roosevelt's public life, and although he remained a boisterous commentator on world affairs and severe critic of President Wilson's foreign-policy regarding the latter's attitude towards the First World War in Europe, Theodore's contributions were over. He died in 1919, but is remembered by many as perhaps the most fascinating character in the history of American public life. His likeness is etched into the face of Mount Rushmore along with Washington Jefferson and Lincoln. Theodore Roosevelt was in many ways giant of a man of, flawed as he may have been.

This project invites you to investigate the life and Times of Theodore Roosevelt: The inimitable TR.

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