Theodore Teddy Roosevelt

Theodore Teddy Roosevelt (1901 to 1909) was the 26th President of the United States. He was born on 27th October 1858 and served his presidential term during 1901-1909.

Headed in the direction of genius at political leadership, he brought new excitement and power to the Presidency, as he vigorously led Congress and the American public toward progressive reforms and a strong foreign policy. His conservationism and willingness to take on big business are examples of why he is considered to be one of the influential presidents in America’s history.

Born a sickly child with debilitating asthma, Roosevelt successfully overcame his health problems by embracing a strenuous lifestyle. He integrated his exuberant personality, vast range of interests, and world-famous achievements into a "cowboy" persona defined by robust masculinity. Home-schooled, he became a lifelong naturalist before attending Harvard College. His first of many books, The Naval War of 1812 (1882), established his reputation as both a learned historian and as a popular writer. Upon entering politics, he became the leader of the reform faction of Republicans in New York's state legislature.

Theodore Roosevelt became the youngest ever president when he took the oath and he brought his exuberance into the office as expected. He controlled trusts so that small businesses and workers were not exploited. He wanted everyone to have a square deal which was eponymous to his administration’s name. He got congress to pass laws which protected the people from impure food and drugs and forced the owners of the coal mines during that time to pay better wages to its laborers. He is recognized as having done more than any other president to save the natural resources of USA. Roosevelt established national parks and more than 125 million acres of national forests. A firm believer in having a strong navy, he also got congress to build new battleships and cruisers. It was for the objective that the navy could move easily from one ocean to the other and also for trade purposes that he built the Panama Canal.

Theodore Roosevelt was the amalgamation of explorer, politician, author, historian and naturalist, and was the youngest person to serve as the President of the United States at the age of just 42. The 26th US president was the founder of the Progressive Party and also one of the most influential leaders of the Republican Party. He, with his slogan, “Speak softly and carry a big stick”, was known for his robust masculinity and “Cowboy” mannerism. His book, The Naval War of 1812, established him as a famous writer and historian around 1882. His face was sculpted on Mount Rushmore along with Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. His domestic policies, “Square Deal”, included the reduction of railroad rates, guaranteeing pure food and scheduled drugs along with breaking up capitalism. He was also the first president to lead a conservation project.

He is remembered to this day due to his plethora of achievements and interests. He held the office at city state and federal levels before becoming the president. Apart from politics he had deep interests in writing, hunting and was a natural explorer. Theodore Roosevelt charismatic personality and unyielding machismo has made him one of the fondest American presidents. Early in his political career he became a leader of the reform faction of the Grand Ol’ Party. Soon thereafter he became the New York City Police Commissioner and remained in that position until war broke out with Spain in 1898, after which he created the Rough Riders unit and fought against Spanish forces in Cuba. Upon obtaining the presidency between 1901-1909, Roosevelt helped institute various progressive policies that helped bring the nation into the 20th century. Roosevelt is fondly remembered for pioneering the busting of monopolistic trusts.

Roosevelt led a two-year expedition in the Amazon Basin, nearly dying of tropical disease. During World War I, he opposed President Woodrow Wilson for keeping the U.S. out of the war against Germany, and offered his military services, which were never summoned. Although planning to run again for president in 1920, Roosevelt suffered deteriorating health and died in early 1919. Roosevelt has consistently been ranked by scholars as one of the greatest U.S. presidents. His face was carved into Mount Rushmore alongside those of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln.

He nick name was “Teddy” although he resented being called so. Many do not know this but the “Teddy bear” is named for him.

On the night of January 5, 1919, Roosevelt suffered breathing problems. He felt better after treatment from his physician, Dr. George W. Faller, and went to bed. Roosevelt's last words were "Please put out that light, James" to his family servant James Amos. Between 4:00and 4:15 the next morning, "The old lion is dead” died in January 6th 1919.