Roosevelt first tried the law profession by enrolling in Columbia University. He did not enjoy it and soon left school.
He published his first book in 1882 it was entitled The Naval War of 1812. He had begun work on it while still at Harvard. Then Teddy decided that he would try a career in politics. His first position was on the state assembly in the state of New York.
He ran as a republican and won the position easily. At this position he did two major things: first he exposed a corrupt judge and secondly he learned to work with men from both parties. Instead of going for a second term of legislature he decided that he would go to the Republican National Convention in Chicago. He went as the chairman for the New York delegation. While Roosevelts professional life was flourishing his personal life was not in very good shape.
In 1884 both his wife and mother died. His wife died while giving birth to their daughter, Alice. Roosevelt would take a break from politics and form the Elkhorn ranch on the Little Missouri River in the Dakota Territory. On his ranch he led the life of a cowboy. He would round up cattle and ride horses all day. It was a good break for Roosevelt.
One story tells of Roosevelt capturing three thieves and holding them at gun point for 6 days until they reached the proper authorities. Also during this time Roosevelt wrote 2 more books (Hunting Trips of a Ranch Man and Thomas Hart Benton) and fell in love with Edith Kermit Carow.On December 2, 1886 Roosevelt and Carow went to London to be married.When they returned to the United States Roosevelt set his mind back on politics. He was very active in the presidential campaign of 1888 when Benjamin Harrison defeated Grover Cleveland. Roosevelt believed in hiring government workers on their skills not based on their party affiliation. At the time the winner of the race would hire every one that had helped them win the race even if they were not qualified for the position.
Harrison would award his efforts by appointing him the U.S. Civil Services Commissioner. As commissioner he would continue to challenge patronage.He did such a good job that when Cleveland beat Harrison for reelection he kept him as Civil Services Commissioner. In 1895 Roosevelt would return to New York City to take the position of Police Commissioner. He would battle police corruption and try to reform the police department in his years as commissioner.
He would then become Assistant Secretary of the Navy. In 1898 after the U.S. had declared war on Spain Roosevelt resigned from his position so he could form what would become known as the Rough Riders.While in Cuba Teddy would gain fame in the papers for his daring and intelligence in battle. After the war he would be elected governor of New York.
Soon afterward New York Senator Thomas Platt would convince him to run with McKinley as Vice President. McKinley won but eight days later he was shot and Roosevelt became President of the United States. One of the major things Roosevelt did as President was come up with what he called the Square Deal. In this Square Deal he planned that everyone would be treated the same and that the rich should not be given special privileges that the poor were not given.
One of Roosevelts more famous quotes was Speak softly but carry a big stick. The big stick was the Another major accomplishment of Roosevelts administration was the building of the Panama Canal which he would supervise during his time in office. In 1904 he would be elected to his second term in office. He defeated Alton B.
Parker, a judge who was from New York. During his second term in office he would establish the Pure Food and Drug Act which prevented food that could potential harm you from being sold. He also started major conservation projects to help save forest land and also establish National In the election of 1908 Roosevelt would not run for the Presidency because he earlier had promised not to run for a third term. This left the Republican slot for president open. It was filled with William Taft who with Roosevelts backing would wind the presidency.
Later in 1912 after Taft had enraged him, Roosevelt decided to run for the presidency again. On his campaign tour while in Milwaukee someone attempted to assassinate him. He survived and pressed on but he would lose the race to democrat Woodrow Wilson. He spent most of the rest of his life campaigning and helping the Republican party.
He did take a break to go on a journey down the Amazon River. This would contribute to his failing health and he would die in his sleep at his home in Oyster Bay.
Bibliography:
Whitney, David C. The American Presidents. Doubleday, 6th ed., 1986.
Great Lives from History: American Series. Ed. by Frank N. Magill.
5v. Salem, 1987. Encarta 98 Teddy Roosevelt.
