Summary
Introduction
In the prelude to Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume One, Cook portrays Eleanor Roosevelt as a figure who, years after her passing, continues to spark debate. Opinions diverge on whether she exemplified virtue or was naively idealistic. Moreover, societal stereotypes concerning a woman’s role have masked the depth of Roosevelt’s accomplishments. Cook views Roosevelt's life as both a personal odyssey and a political saga, reflecting the intricate dynamics of the twentieth century, a tapestry woven with noble ideals and tangible successes.
Chapters 1–3: Ancestry and Early Childhood
Eleanor Roosevelt was born into the aristocratic embrace of 1884. Her mother, Anna Livingston Ludlow Hall, wed Elliot Roosevelt in 1883. Elliot, the elder sibling of future U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt Jr., once shone brighter than his younger brother but succumbed to personal struggles. Ill health frequently shadowed him, and his adulthood saw a descent into excessive drinking.
Eleanor's mother, distant and critical, left Eleanor feeling unloved and unattractive. However, she found solace in her father, who recognized her potential and urged her to strive for excellence. Unfortunately, Elliot's charm was eclipsed by his deepening alcoholism and his bouts of anger and self-pity.
Her early years were marred by unhappiness. As Elliot's alcoholism spiraled, Theodore Roosevelt sought to shield the family from disgrace by urging Anna to part ways with her husband. Eleanor, ensconced in a convent school, grappled with loneliness as the family fractured over Theodore’s insistence that Elliott be committed to an asylum in Paris.
Eventually, Elliott made his way back to the U.S., seeking recovery in a treatment center. Despite regaining health, his reunion with his wife never came to pass; a tragic turn saw Anna succumb to diphtheria at just twenty-nine.
Chapters 4–6: Death of Father, School, and Courtship
Devastated by Anna's passing, Elliott returned to the bottle, yet continued to pen affectionate letters to Eleanor, who cherished them and idolized her father. Elliott's sudden demise on August 14, 1893, marked a poignant juncture in Eleanor’s life.
Now residing with her maternal grandmother, Mary Livingston Ludlow Hall, and her aunts, Maude and Pussie, Eleanor savored a newfound sense of family stability she hadn’t known before.
At fifteen, Eleanor embarked on a transformative journey to Allenswood School in England, where she thrived for three joyful years. This institution catered to the privileged daughters of Europe and America, under the guidance of Marie Souvestre, a fervent feminist educator. Eleanor flourished as Souvestre’s favored pupil, her self-assurance blossoming.
Upon returning to New York, Eleanor felt adrift amidst its social whirl of soirées. Unlike her glamorous mother, she did not captivate the dance floor. By 1903, she encountered her distant cousin, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and by November, they were secretly engaged, a secret kept at the behest of Franklin’s mother, Sara Delano Roosevelt.
Chapters 7–9: Marriage and Politics
On March 17, 1905, Eleanor and Franklin sealed their vows. During the early years of matrimony, Eleanor found herself overshadowed by her formidable mother-in-law, who presided over the household with an iron will. Sara orchestrated every detail to Franklin’s advantage, leaving Eleanor to set aside her desires. Their firstborn, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, arrived in 1906, followed by James in 1907. A third child, an infant son named Franklin, passed away in 1909, and another son, Elliott, was born in 1910.
In 1913, FDR ascended to the role of Assistant Secretary of the Navy, prompting a move to Washington. Though Eleanor bore two more children, the couple drifted apart, with Franklin entangled in an affair with a secretary, Lucy Mercer. Eleanor’s discovery in 1918 led to her offering a divorce, but Franklin declined. Despite feeling betrayed,...
(This entire section contains 1167 words.)
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Eleanor resolved to carve out her own path.
Chapters 10–12: More Political Activities
In the tumultuous years of 1919 and 1920, Eleanor plunged into political activism, joining the League of Women Voters and the Women’s Trade Union League. She believed progressive reforms were essential to address the social upheavals, including post-war strikes. When Franklin campaigned for vice-presidency in 1920, the Roosevelts emerged as a dynamic political duo. Although they lost, Eleanor was prepared to embark on her own political career journey.
Back in New York, Eleanor deepened her involvement in feminist activism. In 1921, she attended significant events such as the New York League of Women Voters' annual convention and the national gathering in Cleveland. She became a vital force within the women’s political sphere, forging bonds with pioneers like Esther Lape and Elizabeth Read, championing labor laws for women and children, and advocating for equal pay.
Chapters 13–16: 1920s, Teacher and Political Activist
In 1921, Franklin was struck by polio, leading to paralysis. Eleanor stood by him, encouraging his engagement in public life. By 1923, however, their paths diverged, and Eleanor pursued her own interests and associations, yet maintained a warm relationship with Franklin, devoid of secrets. Outwardly, they appeared a devoted pair.
Eleanor forged her independence, earning from lectures and magazine writings, and continued to weave a network of politically active women, including Nancy Cook and Marion Dickerman. She raised funds to launch the Women’s Democratic News, a monthly she also edited, debuting in 1925. During this era, she taught at Todhunter School in New York City, a venture she partly owned.
By the mid-1920s, Eleanor Roosevelt emerged as a dynamic force within women’s political circles of New York state, immersing herself in influential groups like the League of Women Voters and the Women’s Division of the New York State Democratic Committee. Her efforts were tireless as she rallied financial support, crafted compelling newsletters, and engaged fiercely in debates. She traversed the state, championing candidates and advocating for social reforms such as the forty-eight-hour workweek, pushing for enhanced governmental safeguards for women and children. In her pursuit of international calm, she ignited a women’s peace initiative in 1927, which propelled her to national prominence.
By 1928, as Franklin D. Roosevelt ascended to the governorship of New York, Eleanor had solidified her status as a formidable political force, renowned among Democrats nationwide. Her influence permeated FDR's daily routine, shaping his political strategies and advisor selections. During FDR’s tenure as governor from 1929 to 1933, Eleanor devoted herself to teaching at the Todhunter School, where her students held her in high regard for her effective and inspiring teaching methods.
Chapters 17–20: The Great Depression; New Friendships
The onset of the Great Depression in 1929 did not deter Eleanor from championing women's rights, particularly the right to work. She boldly challenged the antiquated notion that a woman's domain was solely the home. As the economic crisis deepened, she advocated for innovative solutions to combat unemployment and viewed unionization as a cornerstone for the economic stability of working women.
In 1929, FDR enlisted the services of Earl Miller, a state trooper, to serve as Eleanor’s bodyguard. This professional relationship blossomed into a warm friendship over the ensuing years. With FDR's election as president in 1932, Eleanor stepped into the role of First Lady. Around this period, she formed what historian Cook describes as a "romantic and passionate" friendship with Lorena Hickok, a reporter assigned by the Associated Press to cover her activities.
Criticism by Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume One, 1884-1933
