Early & Political Life
Theodore Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858, in New York City to Martha Roosevelt and Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. Growing up in New York, he couldn't actively express his love for nature. Home schooled due to asthma and other illnesses, Roosevelt spent a lot of time inside his family's home doing a lot of physical activities. When Roosevelt's father died in 1878, it compelled him to work harder and enroll at Harvard University.
At Harvard, Roosevelt met Alice Hathaway Lee and married her in October of 1880. At this time, Roosevelt became interested in politics. He joined the New York State Assembly as a representative of New York City, becoming the youngest to do so at the time. He also became Captain of the National Guard and minority leader of the New York Assembly. Unfortunately, on February 14, 1884, both Roosevelt's mother and wife died on the same day. Grief-stricken, Theodore moved west to the Dakota Badlands.
At Dakota, Roosevelt became a cowboy and a cattle rancher for a few years. Here, he finally got to express his love for nature. However, it was short-lived as he quickly moved back to New York. Once back, Theodore ran for mayor of New York City in 1886 but lost. As a result, he took up more positions, including Civil Service Commissioner, New York City Police Commissioner, and U.S. Navy Assistant Secretary. Twelve years later, Roosevelt was elected governor of New York after helping win the Battle of San Juan Heights in the Spanish-American War, working as a cavalry volunteer. In 1901, Theodore became President McKinley's Vice President. Later that year, William McKinley was shot and assassinated. In 1901, Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States.
Life for the environment before Roosevelt's presidency was rough. The people of America were treating their land in a terrible way. Some of the biggest affects were seen on forests, animals, and historic sites. Back around the time of Roosevelt's early life, deforestation was becoming a major problem all around the country. Large forests and trees were in danger of being wiped out. Due to excessive hunting and poor treatment of the environment, many species of animals were in fear of extinction. Vandalism and construction on historic sites led to a worriment of the land becoming ruined forever. Due to human greed and ineptitude, America was in fear of losing some of the world's greatest aspects of nature.
At Harvard, Roosevelt met Alice Hathaway Lee and married her in October of 1880. At this time, Roosevelt became interested in politics. He joined the New York State Assembly as a representative of New York City, becoming the youngest to do so at the time. He also became Captain of the National Guard and minority leader of the New York Assembly. Unfortunately, on February 14, 1884, both Roosevelt's mother and wife died on the same day. Grief-stricken, Theodore moved west to the Dakota Badlands.
At Dakota, Roosevelt became a cowboy and a cattle rancher for a few years. Here, he finally got to express his love for nature. However, it was short-lived as he quickly moved back to New York. Once back, Theodore ran for mayor of New York City in 1886 but lost. As a result, he took up more positions, including Civil Service Commissioner, New York City Police Commissioner, and U.S. Navy Assistant Secretary. Twelve years later, Roosevelt was elected governor of New York after helping win the Battle of San Juan Heights in the Spanish-American War, working as a cavalry volunteer. In 1901, Theodore became President McKinley's Vice President. Later that year, William McKinley was shot and assassinated. In 1901, Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States.
Life for the environment before Roosevelt's presidency was rough. The people of America were treating their land in a terrible way. Some of the biggest affects were seen on forests, animals, and historic sites. Back around the time of Roosevelt's early life, deforestation was becoming a major problem all around the country. Large forests and trees were in danger of being wiped out. Due to excessive hunting and poor treatment of the environment, many species of animals were in fear of extinction. Vandalism and construction on historic sites led to a worriment of the land becoming ruined forever. Due to human greed and ineptitude, America was in fear of losing some of the world's greatest aspects of nature.
Influences
Throughout his life, Theodore Roosevelt was heavily inspired by a lot of people for his love of nature. Among the earliest were his uncle Rob Roosevelt, who was considered one of the biggest conservationists in America. Living next door growing up, they saw each other a lot and could talk very often. At an adult age, Theodore met many more people, including John Burrows, who was a writer and poet that wrote heavily about nature. Roosevelt also met Frank Chapman, who was a huge lover of birds, much like Roosevelt. Another person was George Grinnell, who was a good friend of Theodore. One last person was Gifford Pinchot, who was a huge conservationist. Together, he and Roosevelt did a multitude of work to save forests.