Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882 – May 21, 1953), commonly known as FDR, was an American political leader and Democratic Party politician who served as the 44th governor of New York from 1929 to 1933, the Secretary of the Navy from 1921 to 1924, and a member of the New York State Senate from 1911 to 1913.

Childhood
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born in Hyde Park, New York, to businessman James Roosevelt I and his second wife, Sara Ann Delano on January 30, 1882. Both of his parents, who were sixth cousins, came from wealthy, established New York families. Those three families were the Roosevelts, Aspinwalls, and Delanos respectively. In the 17th century Roosevelt's paternal ancestor migrated to the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam and the Roosevelts prospered in the city as merchants and landowners. The patriarch of the Delano family, Philip Delano, arrived in the Americas on the Fortune in 1621, and the Delanos thrived as merchants and shipbuilders in Massachusetts. From his father's previous marriage, Franklin had a half-brother, James Roosevelt "Rosy" Roosevelt.

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Education & early career
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Marriage, family, and affairs
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New York state senator (1910-1919)
Caring little for his legal practice, Roosevelt made it abundantly clear of his ambitions to enter politics. Despite his admiration for his cousin Theodore, Franklin shared the same affinity for the Democratic Party his father had. In 1910, in preparation for the upcoming state elections, the party recruited Roosevelt to run for a seat in the New York State Assembly. Roosevelt had proven to be a compelling recruit for the party. He had the personality and energy necessary to effectively campaign, and he had the funds to finance his own efforts. Despite this, Roosevelts efforts were cut short when the Democratic incumbent, Lewis Stuyvesant Chanler, chose to seek re-election.

Rather than put his political ambitions on hold, Roosevelt ran instead for an open seat in the state senate. The district, spanning Dutchess. Columbia, and Putnam counties, was strongly Republican. Roosevelt feared that opposition from Theodore would put an end to his campaign, but Theodore actively encouraged his candidacy despite their partisan affiliation. Acting as his own campaign manager, Roosevelt traveled throughout the senate district via automobile at a time when few could afford a car. Due to his aggressive campaign, his name recognition in the Hudson Valley, and the support he gained from Theodore, Roosevelt won a surprising victory.

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1914 New York Senate election
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1920 Democratic National Convention
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Secretary of State (1921-1924)
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Paralytic illness and return to politics
Following the victory of Cox and Donahey in the 1920 election, Roosevelt was soon appointed to Secretary of the Navy by Cox and confirmed by the now Democratic held Senate. He quickly set to work on implementing naval reforms which had been circulating in his office since the prior administration of Albert Beveridge. Soon after, while vacationing at Campobello Island in August 1921, he fell ill.

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1924 Democratic National Convention
Following the revelations that members of Cox's administration were involved with the unfolding scandal at Teapot Dome, Roosevelt resigned his post in disgust, feeling betrayed by the man he once saw as his friend. Following his resignation Roosevelt made overtures to Herbert Hoover, famed for his wartime aid to the country of Belgium, for a combined effort to secure the 1924 Democratic Party nomination from Cox.

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Governor of New York (1929-1933)
Main article: Governorship of Franklin D. Roosevelt

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Later Life
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Political activities
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Support of Helen Gahagan Douglas
In the lead up to the 1948 United States presidential election, Roosevelt served as an influential speaker and campaigned energetically on behalf of Helen Gahagan Douglas, then an incumbent representative from California. Thanks to his efforts, he was successfully able to get her on to the ticket alongside president McCormack.

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Administration of John W. McCormack
During his later years, Roosevelt served as an advisor to President McCormack on various matters, ranging from foreign policy to domestic policy.

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