Teddy Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., was born in New York City on October 27, 1858. His father was Theodore Roosevelt Sr., and his mother was Mittie Bullock. He had three siblings, including two sisters Anna and Corinne, and one brother Elliott. Throughout much of his childhood, Roosevelt was sick with a variety of illnesses and was bedridden. His father ran several profitable enterprises and was a highly regarded philanthropist who joined the newly-formed Republican political party. Roosevelt attended Harvard University and graduated magna cum laude in 1880. He then attended Columbia Law School for several years.

After several years attending law school, Roosevelt realized that he was more interested in politics and public service and chose to drop out. Benefiting from his family’s connections, he ran for, and won, a seat in the New York legislature. At the age of 22, Roosevelt married Alice Lee, the daughter of a banker and financier in New York. Tragically, just four years later his wife Alice, shortly after giving birth to their daughter Alice, and his mother both died on the same day. In a strange turn he refused to let anyone speak the name of his first wife in his presence.