Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt Roosevelt in 1915 26th President of the United States In office September 14, 1901 – March 4, 1909 Vice President None (1901–1905) Charles W. Fairbanks (1905–1909) Preceded by William McKinley Succeeded by William Howard Taft 25th Vice President of the United States In office March 4, 1901 – September 14, 1901 President William McKinley Preceded by Garret Hobart Succeeded by Charles W. Fairbanks 33rd Governor of New York In office January 1, 1899 – December 31, 1900 Lieutenant Timothy L. Woodruff Preceded by Frank S. Black Succeeded by Benjamin Barker Odell, Jr. Assistant Secretary of the Navy In office April 19, 1897 – May 10, 1898 President William McKinley Preceded by William McAdoo Succeeded by Charles Herbert Allen Personal details Born Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (1858-10-27)October 27, 1858 Manhattan, New York, US Died January 6, 1919(1919-01-06) (aged 60) Cove Neck, New York, US Resting place Youngs Memorial Cemetery Oyster Bay, New York, US Political party Republican Progressive Spouse(s) Alice Lee (m. 1880–84; her death) Edith Carow (m. 1886–1919; his death) Relations Cornelius Roosevelt (grandfather) James Stephens Bulloch (grandfather) James A. Roosevelt (uncle) Robert Roosevelt (uncle) James Dunwoody Bulloch (half-uncle) Irvine Bulloch (uncle) Bamie Roosevelt (sister) Elliott Bulloch Roosevelt (brother) Corinne Roosevelt Robinson (sister) Emlen Roosevelt (cousin) Granville Roland Fortescue (cousin) Theodore Douglas Robinson (nephew) Eleanor Roosevelt (niece) Corinne Alsop Cole (niece) Hall Roosevelt (nephew) Children Alice, Theodore III, Kermit, Ethel, Archibald, Quentin Parents Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. Martha Bulloch Roosevelt Alma mater Harvard University Columbia Law School Profession Politician Author Historian Explorer Conservationist Religion Dutch Reformed Church Awards Nobel Peace Prize (1906) Medal of Honor (Posthumously; 2001) Signature Military service Service/branch New York National Guard United States Army Years of service 1882–1886, 1898 Rank Colonel Commands 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry Battles/wars Spanish–American War  • Battle of Las Guasimas  • Battle of San Juan Hill The coat of arms of Theodore Roosevelt A contemporary book plate used by Roosevelt for his personal library Information Date of origin 17th century Shield Argent upon a grassy mound a rosebush bearing three roses gules barbed and seeded proper. Crest and mantle Upon a torse argent and gules, Three ostrich plumes each per pale gules and argent, the mantling gules doubled argent. Motto Qui plantavit curabit, Latin for "he who has planted will preserve". Theodore "T.R." Roosevelt, Jr. (/ˈroʊzəvɛlt/ ROH-zə-velt; October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919) was an American politician, author, naturalist, soldier, explorer, and historian who served as the 26th President of the United States. He was a leader of the Republican Party and founder of the Progressive Party insurgency of 1912. He is known for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity. Growing up, Roosevelt was a sickly child who suffered from asthma. To overcome his physical weakness, he embraced a strenuous life. He was home-schooled and became an eager student of nature. He attended Harvard College, where he studied biology, boxed, and developed an interest in naval affairs. He quickly entered politics, determined to become a member of the ruling class. In 1881, he was elected to the New York State Assembly, where he became a leader of the reform faction of the GOP. His book, The Naval War of 1812 (1882), established him as a learned historian and writer. When Roosevelt's first wife, Alice, died two days after giving birth in February 1884 and when his mother died the same day in the same house, he was heartbroken and in despair. Roosevelt temporarily left politics and became a cattle rancher in the Dakotas. When blizzards destroyed his herd, he returned to New York City politics, running in and losing a race for mayor. In the 1890s, he took vigorous charge of the city police as New York City Police Commissioner. By 1897, under President William McKinley, Roosevelt was, in effect, running the Navy Department. When the war with Spain broke out in 1898, he helped form the famous Rough Riders, a combination of wealthy Easterners and Western cowboys. He gained national fame for his courage during the war in Cuba. Roosevelt then returned to United States and was elected Governor of New York. He was the GOP nominee for Vice President with William McKinley, campaigning successfully against radicalism and for prosperity, national honor, imperialism (regarding the Philippines), high tariffs and the gold standard. Roosevelt became President after McKinley was assassinated in 1901. He was inaugurated at age 42, making him the youngest person to become president, and the first President to receive