Enviable Childhood
President Grover Cleveland looked down solemnly at his five-year-old White House visitor. "My little man, " he declared, "I am making a strange wish for you. I hope that you never be President of the United States!"
For many years Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave very little indication that he would deny Cleveland his wish. He had been born, on January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York, to every privilege of wealth. Franklin was the only child of James Roosevelt and Sara Ann Delano Roosevelt. James Roosevelt taught young Franklin everything that a gentleman had to know, while his mother recorded her only son's progress in her daily diary. It was an enviable childhood , replete with governesses, tutors, sports, horses, pet dogs and trips to Europe.
For many years Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave very little indication that he would deny Cleveland his wish. He had been born, on January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York, to every privilege of wealth. Franklin was the only child of James Roosevelt and Sara Ann Delano Roosevelt. James Roosevelt taught young Franklin everything that a gentleman had to know, while his mother recorded her only son's progress in her daily diary. It was an enviable childhood , replete with governesses, tutors, sports, horses, pet dogs and trips to Europe.
College Life
While growing up, F.D.R was educated by tutors and governesses until age 14, then continued his education at Groton, an exclusive boarding school for boys. Under the tutelage of the Rev. Endicott Peabody, Young F.D.R learned Groton's primary lesson: that it was the responsibility of the wealthy privileged classes to aid and lead the less fortunate. Peabody remembered his pupil as "a quiet, satisfactory boy of more than ordinary intelligence,..........but not brilliant."
After Groton, Franklin entered Harvard in 1900, due to his father's suggestions who later died that same year. But even the future leader of the Western alliance, as one colleague observed, showed "almost no awareness whatever of realities beyond the undergraduate horizon."
Roosevelt was content with a casual "C" average, he was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, editor of the Harvard Crimson newspaper and received his degree in only three years. When he was still a junior at Harvard, Roosevelt shocked his mother by announcing his desire to marry Eleanor Roosevelt, his fifth cousin and the niece of Franklin's idol, Theodore Roosevelt who was currently the President of the United States. Franklin and Eleanor were married in New York on March 17, 1905.President Teddy Roosevelt was greatly rejoiced about the wedding and gave the bride away.
Franklin, soon after, studied law at Columbia University Law School and passed the bar exam in 1907, though he didn't receive a degree. For the next three years, he practiced corporate law in New York, living the typical; upper-class life.
But he found law practice boring and restrictive. He set his sights on greater accomplishments.
After Groton, Franklin entered Harvard in 1900, due to his father's suggestions who later died that same year. But even the future leader of the Western alliance, as one colleague observed, showed "almost no awareness whatever of realities beyond the undergraduate horizon."
Roosevelt was content with a casual "C" average, he was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, editor of the Harvard Crimson newspaper and received his degree in only three years. When he was still a junior at Harvard, Roosevelt shocked his mother by announcing his desire to marry Eleanor Roosevelt, his fifth cousin and the niece of Franklin's idol, Theodore Roosevelt who was currently the President of the United States. Franklin and Eleanor were married in New York on March 17, 1905.President Teddy Roosevelt was greatly rejoiced about the wedding and gave the bride away.
Franklin, soon after, studied law at Columbia University Law School and passed the bar exam in 1907, though he didn't receive a degree. For the next three years, he practiced corporate law in New York, living the typical; upper-class life.
But he found law practice boring and restrictive. He set his sights on greater accomplishments.
Family Life & Polio Diagnosis
Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt had five sons and a daughter, although one son
died in infancy. In order, was Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (1906-75), James Roosevelt (1907-91), Elliott Roosevelt (1907-90), Franklin Delano Roosevelt, JR. (1914-88). FDR was not deeply involved in raising his children, in part because he was so occupied with his work. But he also believed that childrearing was his wife's (or the family nanny's) task.
While vacationing at Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada, he was diagnosed as having contracted polio. At first, he refused to accept that he was permanently paralyzed. He tried numerous therapies and even bought the Warm Springs resort in Georgia seeking a cure. Despite his efforts, he never regained the use of his legs. He later established a foundation at Warm Springs to help others, and instituted the March of Dimes program that eventually funded an effective polio vaccine.
For a time, Franklin Roosevelt was resigned to being a victim of polio, believing his political career to be over. But Eleanor Roosevelt and political confidante Louis Howe encouraged him to continue on. Over the next several years, Roosevelt worked to improve his physical and political image. He taught himself to walk short distances in his braces and was careful not to be seen in public using his wheelchair.
died in infancy. In order, was Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (1906-75), James Roosevelt (1907-91), Elliott Roosevelt (1907-90), Franklin Delano Roosevelt, JR. (1914-88). FDR was not deeply involved in raising his children, in part because he was so occupied with his work. But he also believed that childrearing was his wife's (or the family nanny's) task.
While vacationing at Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada, he was diagnosed as having contracted polio. At first, he refused to accept that he was permanently paralyzed. He tried numerous therapies and even bought the Warm Springs resort in Georgia seeking a cure. Despite his efforts, he never regained the use of his legs. He later established a foundation at Warm Springs to help others, and instituted the March of Dimes program that eventually funded an effective polio vaccine.
For a time, Franklin Roosevelt was resigned to being a victim of polio, believing his political career to be over. But Eleanor Roosevelt and political confidante Louis Howe encouraged him to continue on. Over the next several years, Roosevelt worked to improve his physical and political image. He taught himself to walk short distances in his braces and was careful not to be seen in public using his wheelchair.