Theodore Roosevelt

Who was Theodore Roosevelt?

Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919) was the 26th president of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909. He was homeschooled and began a lifelong naturalist avocation before attending Harvard University. After the simultaneous deaths of his first wife Alice Hathaway Lee Roosevelt and mother Martha Bulloch Roosevelt, he recuperated by buying and operating a cattle ranch in the Dakotas. Previously serving for six months as vice president under William McKinley, Roosevelt became president after McKinley's assassination in 1901. A sickly child with debilitating asthma, Roosevelt overcame health problems through a regime of vigorous exercise, which he called "the strenuous life". His book The Naval War of 1812 established his reputation as a historian and popular writer. Roosevelt became leader of the reform faction of Republicans in the New York State Legislature.

Roosevelt served as the assistant secretary of the Navy under McKinley, and in 1898 helped plan the successful naval war against Spain.

Historical significance

He was 42 years old upon his first inauguration, making him the youngest person to hold the office.