The Young Life Of Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt was born in New York City On October 27, 1858. Roosevelt was not like other presidents who had come from poor families and struggled to become wealthy in their presidency. Theodore's father came from an old New York Dutch family of moderate wealth and high social position. Theodore's mother, Martha Bulloch,, belonged to a prominent family from Georgia. Both parents were kind and affectionate. His father, in particular, concerned himself actively with Theodore's development. He was born into a wealthy family, but struggled with asthma all of his life. Theodore's father, Theodore raised his children with a set of rules and Theodore Jr. had this to say of him "My father, Theodore Roosevelt, was the best man I ever knew. He combined strength and courage with gentleness, tenderness, and great unselfishness. He would not tolerate in us children selfishness or cruelty, idleness, cowardice, or untruthfulness." (Theodore Roosevelt) During Theodore's childhood, he often missed school because of his bad case of asthma. His asthma also kept him from playing sports with many of his childhood friends.
Theodore loved to learn about nature and was always outside studying the birds and other animals. It was in the fall of 1876 that Roosevelt was accepted into Harvard University where he excelled in many of his studies. Roosevelt graduated from Harvard in magna cum laude in 1890. After attending college at Harvard University he had this to say about himself, "In science and history and geography and in unexpected parts of German and French I was strong, but lamentably weak in Latin and Greek and mathematics." (Roosevelt)
While attending Harvard Univesity, Theodore met Alice Lee, a beautiful young woman, who would become his wife soon after graduation. By 1881, he had entered politics as a New York Assemblyman.
Theodore's father pushed him to become stronger and it was with this influence from his father that he began to build up his body by strenuous exercise. By the time Theodore reached adulthood he had become a model of physical courage and toughness. Theodore's attitude on life and keeping his body healthy was a only a small view of his character and how he would later influence America with this attitude in life. Roosevelt never backed down from any challenge or adversity, and he continually displayed remarkable physical and moral courage.


Lewis, D. William. The Life of Theodore.Kessinger Publisher

Thayer, R. William.Theodore Roosevelt.Kessinger Publisher