Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born on January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York. He was the only child of James Roosevelt and Sara Delano Roosevelt. His family was wealthy and well-connected, with roots stretching back to the earliest days of the American colonies.
Roosevelt attended Harvard College, where he distinguished himself as an academic and a leader. He served as the editor-in-chief of The Harvard Crimson, the university's daily newspaper. After graduating in 1903, he went on to study law at Columbia Law School. However, his true passion lay in public service, and he soon left the legal profession to pursue a career in politics.
Roosevelt's political career began in earnest in 1910, when he was elected to the New York State Senate. He quickly gained a reputation as a progressive reformer, championing causes such as workers' rights and social welfare. His success at the state level led to his appointment as Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Woodrow Wilson.
Despite his rising political star, Roosevelt faced personal challenges that would shape the course of his life. In 1921, at the age of 39, he was diagnosed with polio, a debilitating disease that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Determined not to let his illness define him, Roosevelt worked tirelessly to conceal the severity of his condition from the public.
In 1932, Roosevelt was elected President of the United States in a landslide victory over incumbent Herbert Hoover. He took office at a time of great economic upheaval, as the country grappled with the effects of the Great Depression. Roosevelt's New Deal programs, which aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform, helped to lift the nation out of its worst economic crisis.
Roosevelt's presidency was marked by his bold leadership, his innovative policies, and his ability to inspire the American people during times of adversity. He was the only president to be elected to four terms in office, a testament to his enduring popularity and influence.
Roosevelt came from a prominent New York family, the Roosevelts, and he married his fifth cousin, Eleanor Roosevelt, in 1905. Together, they had six children and shared a deep commitment to public service and social justice. Eleanor would go on to become a respected advocate for human rights and a powerful force in her own right.
Roosevelt's death in 1945 marked the end of an era in American politics. He was succeeded by his Vice President, Harry S. Truman, who would go on to lead the country through the final stages of World War II and the early years of the Cold War.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt's legacy as a statesman, a reformer, and a leader lives on to this day. His contributions to American political life and his impact on world events during a time of great turmoil have cemented his place in history as one of the nation's most revered presidents.