Theodore Roosevelt Administrations - Early Life
Early Life
Although destined to become the leader of a reform movement that revitalized U.S. democracy, Theodore Roosevelt was born into an affluent family high on the social ladder. His forebears had been among those early Dutch settlers who colonized New Amsterdam, later called New York. Roosevelt's father, also named Theodore, operated a successful glass-importing business before becoming a New York City banker. Roosevelt's mother, Martha Bulloch, was a Georgian. Known for her sense of humor, she was ever the southern lady—never quite willing to reconcile herself to the South's defeat in the American Civil War (1861–65). Roosevelt's father, on the other hand, was a staunch Lincoln Republican.
Roosevelt's father was a significant influence in his life. The younger Roosevelt said in his autobiography that his father was "the best man I ever knew," while at the same time "the only man of whom I was ever really afraid"...
[The entire page is 447 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
Related Topics
