Franklin D Roosevelt

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, widely known as FDR, served as the thirty-second president of the United States and remains one of the most influential figures in modern American history. His leadership during the Great Depression and the Second World War reshaped the nation’s political, economic and international trajectory. Born into a prominent New York family and educated at elite institutions, Roosevelt combined patrician confidence with a reforming zeal that marked his long public career. His four electoral victories and extended presidency reflect both the depth of national crisis and the strength of his political coalition.

Early Life and Family Background

Roosevelt was born on 30 January 1882 in Hyde Park, New York, into two distinguished families: the Roosevelts, long rooted in New York politics and commerce, and the Delanos, connected to significant mercantile interests. His parents, James Roosevelt I and Sara Ann Delano, exercised strong influence over his upbringing, particularly his mother, who took an active role in shaping his character. Roosevelt’s early childhood was marked by privilege, extensive travel and a sheltered domestic environment at the family estate that would later become a national historic site.
He was exposed at a young age to political culture; his father introduced him to President Grover Cleveland, who is said to have jokingly wished that the young Franklin would never become president. Roosevelt’s upbringing, while affectionate, created in him a strong sense of social responsibility, reinforced by the family’s deep roots in public life.

Education and Formative Experiences

Roosevelt received private tutoring until adolescence, a common practice among families of his social standing. He later attended the Groton School in Massachusetts, where headmaster Endicott Peabody’s emphasis on public service and moral duty became an enduring influence. Roosevelt was not a standout athlete or scholar, but he developed social poise and an interest in leadership.
At Harvard College he studied history, served as editor of The Harvard Crimson and joined several prominent social clubs. Although not academically exceptional, he gained organisational experience and confidence in public life. He completed his undergraduate degree in 1903 and spent an additional year undertaking graduate work. Roosevelt then entered Columbia Law School but left after passing the bar examination, choosing practical legal experience over a formal degree. His early legal career in admiralty law provided professional grounding, though he never developed a deep passion for the field.
Outside of politics, Roosevelt cultivated a lifelong interest in stamp collecting, a hobby that offered personal solace, particularly after illness curtailed his mobility.

Marriage, Family Life and Personal Challenges

In 1905 Roosevelt married Eleanor Roosevelt, his fifth cousin once removed and the niece of President Theodore Roosevelt. Their union was significant both personally and politically: Eleanor became a formidable public figure in her own right and played a key role in Roosevelt’s later political resurgence after illness. The couple settled into properties provided and overseen by Sara Roosevelt, whose involvement sometimes created tension.
They had six children, five of whom survived into adulthood. Roosevelt’s approach to childcare mirrored that of his father—delegating most responsibilities to his wife and hired caregivers. Eleanor later reflected on her own lack of confidence as a young mother, although she went on to become an influential advocate for social reform.
Roosevelt’s marriage endured strain due to his extramarital relationships, notably with Lucy Mercer, Eleanor’s social secretary. Eleanor discovered the affair in 1918; although divorce was considered, political and familial pressures, as well as mutual respect, led the couple to remain together, albeit with a redefined relationship.

Early Political Career

Roosevelt entered public life as a Democrat in the predominantly Republican state of New York. He served in the New York State Senate from 1911 to 1913, gaining recognition for challenging party machines. He later became Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Woodrow Wilson, where he developed administrative experience and supported naval expansion during the First World War.
In 1920 he ran for vice-president on the Democratic ticket with James M. Cox, but the ticket suffered a decisive defeat. The campaign nonetheless elevated Roosevelt’s national profile.

Illness and Return to Public Life

In 1921 Roosevelt contracted an illness—commonly identified as poliomyelitis—that permanently paralysed his legs. This life-changing event required long periods of physical therapy and recovery. Encouraged by Eleanor and supporters, he re-entered public affairs, gradually restoring his political viability through public appearances and strategic engagement.
Elected governor of New York in 1928 and re-elected in 1930, Roosevelt implemented social and economic programmes aimed at mitigating the effects of the early Depression. His leadership and policy experimentation positioned him as a national figure capable of confronting the profound crisis facing the country.

Presidency and the New Deal Era

Elected president in 1932 amid economic collapse, Roosevelt launched a transformative agenda during his first hundred days in office. His New Deal policies included relief for unemployed workers and farmers, economic recovery initiatives and structural reforms of financial and labour systems. Agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and programmes like Social Security marked a major expansion of federal responsibility.
Roosevelt’s political base, known as the New Deal coalition, realigned American politics for a generation. Although challenged by conservative opposition, especially after the failed judicial reform plan of 1937, he secured re-election in 1936 and maintained considerable national support.

Leadership During the Second World War

Roosevelt’s unprecedented third and fourth elections in 1940 and 1944 reflected the nation’s trust in his leadership as global conflict deepened. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the United States entered the war. Roosevelt worked closely with Allied leaders, helped shape military strategy and directed large-scale mobilisation of the economy.
He also played a crucial role in conceptualising post-war international institutions, supporting the creation of the United Nations and advocating for long-term global cooperation.
Despite these successes, some wartime decisions, including the internment of Japanese Americans, have been subject to extensive criticism.

Final Years and Legacy

Roosevelt’s health deteriorated during the latter part of the war, and he died in April 1945, shortly after beginning his fourth term. His death marked the end of an era in American political life. Historically he is ranked among the most consequential presidents, often placed within the top three by historians and political scientists.
His legacy includes the restructuring of American government, expansion of social welfare, leadership during global conflict and the establishment of international frameworks that shaped the post-war order. Roosevelt also became an enduring symbol of American liberalism, representing a vision of active government committed to economic security, democratic values and collective action.