Who was TR?

Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) was one of America’s most dynamic leaders, remembered for his boundless energy, adventurous spirit, and progressive vision. Born into a wealthy New York family, Roosevelt overcame childhood illness through rigorous exercise, developing a lifelong love of the outdoors. He rose quickly in public life, serving as a New York legislator, police commissioner, assistant secretary of the Navy, and later as governor of New York.

His national fame grew during the Spanish–American War, where he led the Rough Riders up Kettle Hill. In 1901, following President McKinley’s assassination, Roosevelt became the youngest U.S. president at age 42. He championed progressive reforms, trust-busting to rein in powerful corporations, and conservation, establishing national parks and forests that shaped America’s natural legacy. His “Square Deal” aimed to balance the needs of businesses, workers, and consumers, while his foreign policy, summarized as “speak softly and carry a big stick,” projected U.S. influence abroad.

After leaving office in 1909, Roosevelt embarked on bold adventures, including an African safari and a perilous expedition down Brazil’s River of Doubt. He later ran unsuccessfully for president in 1912 as a third-party candidate, splitting the Republican vote but energizing reform politics.

Even in his final years, Roosevelt pursued rugged outdoor exploits, from hunting trips in Canada to a giant manta ray hunt in Florida. A larger-than-life figure, he remains celebrated as a conservationist, reformer, naturalist, and writer—an American president who lived life at full throttle.