Theodore Roosevelt

The Life and Career of Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt was born on October 27 , 1858 , in New York . One of four children , Roosevelt attended the funeral of Abraham Lincoln as a child . While attending Harvard college , Roosevelt 's father passed away from stomach cancer . Upon graduation , he immediately married and joined the Republican Party . He and his wife , Alice Hathaway Lee , then traveled through Europe , where Roosevelt began to develop an appreciation for the arts . He once stated , "I know nothing at all , in reality , of art , I regret to say

, but I do know what pictures I like ' He had started writing a book entitled The Naval War of 1812 while in college , and it was published in 1882 , two years after he graduated

Roosevelt 's distinguished career began when he joined the New York State Assembly in 1882 "I put myself in the way of things happening and they happened "During the three years ' service in the Legislature I worked on a very simple philosophy of government . It was that personal character and initiative are the prime requisites in political and social life "Timeline of Theodore Roosevelt 's Life

While he was an awkward public speaker at the beginning of his career Roosevelt later developed a reputation for having a distinguished speaking manner . Roosevelt 's promising political career came to a halt following two tragedies : first , the death of his mother and twenty-four hours later , his young wife died giving birth to their first child Alice Lee Roosevelt . Devastated by this loss , Roosevelt made plans to leave the political arena and to retreat to the country

After finishing his obligation to the state Assembly , Roosevelt relocated from New York to his Elkhorn Ranch in the Dakotas . He turned down the offer to run for office again , instead focusing his efforts on backing other candidates before his exit . Roosevelt adopted the life of a rancher , rising early and tending to his land rather than concerning himself with political matters . In 1885 , he published his second book Hunting Trips of a Ranchman . Soon , he gave up the ranching life and relocated back to New York , marrying Edith Kermit Carow in London before resuming his political career

The years immediately following his return to New York saw the birth of several children as well as the publication of more books . In 1889 Roosevelt became the Civil Service Commissioner in Washington , a position from which he resigned in 1895 in to become the police commissioner in New York City . Two years later , President William McKinley appointed him Assistant Secretary of the Navy

Roosevelt 's well-known career with the Rough Riders began in 1898 when he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the 1st U .S . Volunteer Calvary Regiment . He stated "A man 's usefulness depends upon his living up to his ideals in so far as he can ' Given control over this regiment , Roosevelt recruited soldiers who were ordinary men : ranch hands , college athletes , policemen and even polo players were recruited (often...