The life and times of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Par of my Research Based Knowledge Object.

1. F.D.R:The Squire of Hyde
Park
By Jeff Scalzo

2. 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.

3. Springwood-Hyde Park,NY

4. 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….

5. Springwood in MA

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Franklin and Eleanor

9. 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

10. 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

11. Pictures showing FDR in a wheelchair
Were not made public until after his death

12. 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

14. 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.

15. Fireside Chats

16. 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”

18. 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

20. Other Interesting Facts About FDR
He 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

21. FDR with Fala