Here are some quick facts, opinions, quotes and other information on President Franklin Roosevelt:
Personal Information on Franklin Roosevelt:
- Thirty-second President (1933-1945)
- Birthday: January 30, 1882 (Monday)
- Birthplace: Hyde Park, New York
- Birthplace Website: President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Birthplace
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Date of Death: April 12, 1945 (Thursday)
- Place of Death: Warms Springs, Georgia
- Place of Burial: Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historical Site, Hyde Park, New York
- Cause of Death: Cerebral Hemorrhage or Stroke
- Age: 63 years old
- Length of Retirement: 0 days (died while in office)
- Burial website: Franklin D. Roosevelt Grave
- Presidential Library: FDR Presidential Library and Museum
Interesting Franklin Roosevelt facts:
- Franklin Roosevelt’s mother, Sara, never disliked his wife Eleanor, but she did everything in her power to keep them from getting married. Franklin was kind of a momma’s boy and his mom thought he was too young to get married. Strangely, FDR once thought of divorcing Eleanor, but Sara insisted it would bring shame on the family. She told Franklin he would not receive another penny if he divorced Eleanor. They remained married.
- Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt were fifth cousins, once removed. Eleanor’s mother, Anna Rebecca Hall Roosevelt, died when Eleanor was eight years old. Eleanor’s father, Elliott Bulloch Roosevelt, was an alcoholic and was confined to a sanitarium. He jumped from a window, which didn’t actually kill him, but he died of a seizure a short time later. Her dad’s brother, Theodore Roosevelt, would give her away at her wedding to Franklin.
- Most of the pictures you see of Franklin Roosevelt show him sitting down, but he was actually very tall by Presidential standards. It may be hard to believe, but Franklin Roosevelt is tied for fifth when it comes to Presidential height. At six foot, two inches tall, he is tied with George HW Bush and Bill Clinton. Ahead of them in Presidential height are: Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon Johnson (both at six feet, four inches) and George Washington and Thomas Jefferson (both at six feet, two and a half inches).
My favorite Franklin Roosevelt Quotes:
First of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.
Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live on in infamy – the United States was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.
Be sincere; be brief; be seated.
Repetition does not transform a lie into a truth.
I’m not the smartest fellow in the world, but I can sure pick smart colleagues.
Franklin Roosevelt blogs (click the title to go to that page):
Franklin Roosevelt page on Presidential Crossroads (click “Franklin Roosevelt” below):
Franklin Roosevelt
Franklin Roosevelt Blogs:
His Cigarette Holder and Family Issues
Visit to Oliver Wendell Holmes
Ten Biggest Presidential Personalities
What similiar trait do I have with Presidents Harding through LBJ
Personal thoughts on Franklin Roosevelt:
Strengths:
Caring heart, Rich (connections), Original, Successful examples in his life
Weaknesses:
A power grabber at times, unfaithful to his wife
Presidential Greatness Scale (1-poor to 5-great): 3.6
Comments:
Franklin Roosevelt is often cited as one of the greatest Presidents by many historians. There is no doubt that his Presidency had a huge impact on the direction of our country. Before FDR, our Federal Government did not get too involved in our daily lives. The Great Depression hit America and Roosevelt went to work trying to improve our lives. With very high unemployment, Roosevelt instituted many ideas and programs that put America back to work. When Herbert Hoover left office unemployment hit 25%. Roosevelt was able to get it into the low teens until World War II hit. Then the unemployment rate would drop to 1.9%. Social Security would also be a popular program he would institute. But all these programs came at a price to future generations. Government spending increased from 8% to 10.2% of the GNP (Gross National Product). The national debt increased from 16% of the GNP to 40%. Federal Withholding Taxes started coming out of our paychecks. He also issued a marginal tax of 100% for anything earned over $25,000. Congress would rescind that executive order. When the Supreme Court wouldn’t go along with some of his ideas, he devised a plan, which failed, to increase the size of the Supreme Court so it could dilute the effect of those who opposed him. I admire FDR for helping us come out of the depression and some of the programs he instituted. I believe he did what he had to do and stretched the limits of previous Presidents to help us through a very rough time in our history. I don’t give him super high marks because I think he also started a wave where the Federal Government now forcefully assumes they can dictate their will on citizens. Federal debt and spending seem to go unchecked. What is determined to be moral seems to mean what is moral as far as the Federal Government is concerned (and that interpretation seems to vary widely from one President to the next).
Favorite Franklin Roosevelt book:
FDR – A Biography by Ted Morgan
Favorite Franklin Roosevelt story:
The story of his polio. He had a very promising future ahead of him when it hit him. Unlike most people, he didn’t let it stop him from that promise.
Most memorable Franklin Roosevelt memory:
Visiting his vacation home in Warm Springs, Georgia.
Favorite Franklin Roosevelt possession (see picture at the top):
A print I purchased at FDR’s summer home in Warm Springs, Georgia. It shows all the commemorative postage stamps approved during FDR’s presidency.
