Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born on January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York. Both of his parents, James Roosevelt I and Sara Ann Delano, were from wealthy, old New York families. Starting at 2 years old, Franklins’ parents began taking him on frequent trips to Europe. These trips helped Franklin learn to fluently speak both French and German. He also was very active and regularly enjoyed riding, shooting, golfing, sailing, rowing, playing polo, and playing lawn tennis. Franklin went to an Episcopal boarding school, Groton School, in Groton, Massachusetts. Groton School’s headmaster, Endicott Peabody, was a huge influence in Franklin’s life, as he ingrained in Franklin his Christian duty to always care for and assist those less fortunate. Peabody continued to visit Franklin as president and guide him in his public service duties. As a young man, Franklin’s fifth cousin, Theodore Roosevelt, became the U.S. President. Theodore Roosevelt was another one of Franklin’s role models, as Franklin admired his cousin’s vigorous leadership style that was itself, full of many reforms. …show more content…
During this same time period, Franklin became reacquainted with Eleanor Roosevelt, his fifth cousin, once removed, and a niece of Theodore Roosevelt. Eleanor and Franklin married in 1905. Together, they had 6 children. Early on, Franklin knew he did not have a passion to practice law and wanted to enter politics. Running as a Democrat, Franklin’s political adventure began by winning the New York state senate seat in 1910. From 1913-1919, Democratic President Woodrow Wilson appointed Franklin to be the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. At the end of Wilson’s administration, Franklin sought the 1920 vice presidential nomination along with Democratic presidential nominee James Cox, though they lost the