F.D.R:The Squire of Hyde Park

By Jeff Scalzo

Birth and Family

The Roosevelt family was a powerful old Dutch family living in Hyde Park New York at their estate ,Springwood

He was born to James Roosevelt and Sara Delano Roosevelt on January 30th,1882

He is the cousin to future president, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt

FDR would feel a deep connection to his home in Hyde Park. When asked as an adult he said of his home "My heart has always been here, it always will be." despite living in several other locations including the White House.

Springwood-Hyde Park,NY

As a Student

FDR was a fairly sickly child(despite growing into a strong 6’2” man when full grown)

Franklin would receive almost all of his formative education from parents and tutors from the comfort of his home

At secondary age FDR attended the prestigious preparatory Groton School of Massachusetts

FDR would go on to enter Harvard and was able to achieve a Bachelor’s in History in only 3 years

Mr. Roosevelt would go on to study law at Columbia University in New York. He passed the Bar exam(having studied mostly on his own) but never took a degree from the college….

Springwood in MA

Big Aspirations

FDR would practice law for 3 years following 1900 at the prominent NYC firm of Carter, Ledyard, and Milburn.

While successful, FDR soon felt the pull toward the field of politics, given his family’s success in that realm

FDR was eventually elected to the New York State senate as a democrat...this was a bit surprising as his home district had a heavy republican background

FDR and Eleanor

While working between politics and law, FDR would marry his 5th cousin, Eleanor in 1905 at the age of 23.

The couple would go on to have five children Anna, James, Elliot, Franklin(who died as an infant), Franklin Delano Jr. and John

Many of his children would go on to have prominent roles in politics and society, much like their parents.

Franklin and Eleanor

FDR’s Political Career Continues

Franklin was re-elected to the state Senate in 1912. He supported Woodrow Wilson’s bid for presidency in that election

As a reward for his support, Wilson named FDR the Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1913 until 1920

FDR was noted to be energetic and quite efficient as an administrator(he was well suited for the business side of serving the Navy...a skill which would serve him well as a future Commander in Chief during World War II)

In 1920, FDR would run as a Vice Presidential candidate alongside James Cox of Ohio. They would lose to Warren Harding as he preached isolation after World War I

Struck with Polio

Tragedy struck Roosevelt after the failed vice presidential bid as he was stricken with debilitating polio following a swim retreat with the Boy Scouts

Roosevelt saw this as the end of his political career as he lost most the usage of his legs

Through sheer determination, major physical therapy Georgia and the encouragement of his wife and political friends, FDR would bypass this struggle and continue his political career….

….albeit keeping his disability a secret. He always saw this as weakness and used his sons, specially modified podiums, and pants which contained concealed walking sticks to hide the fact he was typically wheelchair bound

Pictures showing FDR in a wheelchairWere not made public until after his death

Presidential Election

The country(and world) was in disarray following the stock market crash in the late 20’s.

In 1932, following Republican Herbert Hoover’s unpopular presidency FDR was nominated by the Democrats and won the election using his personal charm and an activist style approach promising the downtrodden population he would provide “....relief, recovery, and reform.”

FDR would break precedent and be the only president to be elected more than twice(In 1932,1936,1940 and 1944 although dying a few short weeks after the 4th election

As Our Nation’s Leader

FDR implemented numerous programs to support the unemployed citizens who lost everything following the Crash.FDR would try to comfort the nation with his “Fireside Chats” to provide commentary through radio broadcasts on his administrations actions.

Known as his “New Deal” These programs included:*The Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration to employ young unskilled men around the nation(There is actually a rock wall right outside his estate which was built by the WPA)*Social Security to provide money for the disabled and elderly*The Agricultural Adjustment Administration to regulate farm prices*The 1933 Banking Act to regulate banks and help establish more faith in the populace keeping their life savings there.

Fireside Chats

World War II

It is noted by most historians, however ambitious his Plan was, it wasn’t until World War II until our country went into overhaul to produce supplies and weapons for our European allies did we exit the depression

While staying isolated , FDR still supported England, Russia, France and other Allied powers with the Lend-Lease act to exclusively sell and loan money to the Allies

1941, the Japanese forced our hand after the attacks on Pearl Harbor and Roosevelt declared war on the Axis Powers, calling the tragedy a “Day which will live in infamy”

World War II Continued and Death

Working to establish a grand Allied alliance he propose a “"Declaration of the United Nations"Roosevelt oversaw the European front of the War commissioning actions such as the Invasion of North Africa in 1942, Invading Italy in 1943, the D-Day landings in Normandy, and invasion of Germany 6 months later

The stress of dealing with the War eventually got to him. FDR suffered a massive stroke the day before V-E Day(total victory in Europe) and died in Warm Springs, Georgia

Millions would line up in mourning to watch the train carry his coffin from Georgia to his home in New York…

He is buried in his Rose Garden alongside his wife and his dog at Springwood in Hyde Park

Other Interesting Facts About FDRHe was the first president to appoint a female, Frances Perkins, to his cabinet.

She was critical for implementing Social Security and other programs

FDR made up for the loss of use in his legs with tremendous upper body strength. He even has a pulley based elevator in his Springwood home which he would use to pull himself up to the second floor!

FDR was well known for his love of his “little dog Fala”, a black Scottish Terrier. He has a statue in both FDR’s estate and memorial in D.C making him the only Presidential pet honored this way. He often accompanied FDR on his political trips

FDR has a specially modified car to allow him to drive with his hands!

FDR was notorious for being a bit of a homebody, making over 130 trips to his Hyde Park home as president

FDR with Fala

Works Cited

http://www.biography.com/news/franklin-roosevelt-biography-facts

http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/education/resources/bio_fdr.html

www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/franklin-d-roosevelt