In the years before radio, television, computers, and stereo systems, Edith nurtured her children's imagination and shared with them her interests in history, poetry, and wildflowers. Impressed by her knowledge, they asked her how she knew so much.--Barbara Silberdick Feinberg--I have read quite a few books about Teddy Roosevelt, since he is one of my favorite presidents, but I never knew much about Edith.
FACTS:
--Edith was born on August 6, 1861
--She spent a lot of time with the Roosevelt children while growing up, including Teddy
--Edith and Teddy became childhood sweethearts, but on August 22nd, 1878 something caused their relationship to end.
--Teddy married Alice, but she and Teddy's mother both died on the same day on February 14, 1884.
--In September 1885, Edith and Teddy ran into each other and rekindled their relationship.
--They married on December 2, 1886.
--Teddy's daughter, 3 year old Alice, from his first marriage, had been living with his sister. But when Teddy and Edith married, Edith insisted she come live with them.
--Edith and Teddy had 5 more children: Theodore Jr. in 1887, Kermit in 1889, Ethel in 1891, Archie in 1894, and Quentin in 1897.
--Edith and Teddy were very involved parents, unlike many privileged couples of that era.
--Teddy played with his children so often that Edith called him, "her oldest and rather worst child".
--Edith and Teddy traveled, once touring Yellowstone National Park on horseback.
--Teddy served in the New York State Assembly, and then served as a Civil-service Commissioner in Washington D.C.
--In 1895, he became the president of New York City's Board of Police Commissioners.
--During this time, Edith took care of the family's finances and did an excellent job.
--In 1897, President McKinley appointed Teddy assistant Secretary of the Navy.
--In May of 1898, Teddy organized a volunteer calvary unit called the "rough riders" to fight in the Spanish-American war. This led to him becoming a national hero.
--In 1899, Teddy became Governor of New York
--Edith refurbished the Governor's official residence.
--In 1900, Teddy became President McKinley's Vice President
--President McKinley is assassinated and Teddy becomes president at the age of 42 on September 14th, 1901.
--In 1902, Edith received funds from Congress to renovate the White House.
--Their 6 children ranged in age from 3 1/2 to 17 when they moved into the White House.
--Edith was well informed and Teddy consulted her on some of his political decisions.
--Alice was married to Ohio Congressman Nicholas Longworth in the White House.
--Edith traveled with Teddy to check on the Panama Canal project in 1906.
--After they left the White House, they returned to their home, Sagamore Hill.
--All 4 of the Roosevelts' sons served in World War I.
--Quentin was killed in action in July 1918.
--Teddy grieved for his son and ended up very sick. He died on January 6, 1919.
--Edith lived for another 29 years. She spoke out for Republican candidates, and even spoke out against Franklin Roosevelt since he was a Democrat.
--She traveled extensively.
--During World War II, her 3 remaining sons joined the U.S. forces, and only Archie survived.
--Edith died on September 30, 1948. Only her name and the dates of her birth and death were on her tombstone, but she had wanted it to read:
Everything she did was for the happiness of others.
My Edith Roosevelt Books:
-Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt--Barbara Silberdick Feinberg
-America's First Ladies--Diana Dixon Healy
-First Ladies--Betty Boyd Caroli
-First Ladies of the White House--Nancy J. Skarmeas
Previous Profiles:
-Eleanor Roosevelt
-Julia Grant
-Louisa Adams
-Frances Cleveland
-Lucretia Garfield
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