Born into a wealthy family, Franklin Roosevelt entered politics because he believed it offered great opportunity for public service. Before he was elected President, he served in the New York State Senate, as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and as Governor of New York.

People around the world admired Roosevelt for his personal courage. Although he was crippled by polio at the age of 39, he refused to give up his career of public service. A little more than 11 years after being stricken, he was elected President of the United States.

Chronology of His Life and Career
1882, January 30		Born in Hyde Park, New York
1896-1900		Attended the Groton School
1903		Graduated from Harvard University
1904		Entered Columbia University Law School
1905, March 17		Married Anna Eleanor Roosevelt
1907		Passed the New York bar examination
1910		Elected to the New York State Senate
1913		Appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy
1914		Made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate
1920		Made an unsuccessful bid for Vice-President of the United States
1921		Stricken with polio
1927		Established the Warm Springs Foundation
1928		Elected Governor of New York
1932		Elected President of the United States
1945, April 12		Died in Warm Springs, Georgia

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu
Home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt National Historic Site. http://www.nps.gov/hofr

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt

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This page was last updated on 11/03/2011.