Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt spent the better part of his life from 1876-1884 searching for the woman who would become Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt went on to become an American politician, statesman, soldier, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer who served as the 26th president of the United States from 1901 to 1909.
Robert Barnwell Roosevelt
The Black Sheep of the Roosevelt Family, Barnwell was TR’s uncle. Growing up, Barnwell, the Roosevelt & Sons business lawyer, and his wife Lizzy were TR’s next-door neighbors, but over time Lizzy became mentally ill. Barnwell moved her out to a house on Long Island. To explain to New York Society, he wrote a novel, a Roman-a-Clef entitled Progressive Petticoats, in which he described his wife’s insanity. Barnwell kept a mistress, in Manhattan, with whom he had three children, one of whom was Roly Fortescue, Teddy’s Bastard Cousin.
Roly Fortescue
Edith Carow
Edith, the oldest daughter of Charles and Gertrude Carow, was TR’s childhood companion. Charles, the owner of Kermit & Carow, the operator of a line of clipper ships that brought shipments of glass and hardware from Liverpool to New York, destined for the warehouses of Roosevelt & Sons. Carow was an alcoholic who lost his fortune. As children and teenagers, TR and Edith read together, studied together, and danced together. Everyone assumed they would be married. Then, upon the death of TR’s father, a monkey wrench was thrown into those plans. He made each of the children promise that TR would not marry Edith. So began the hardest choice of TR’s young life—would he disobey his father’s dying wish, or would he leave his childhood sweetheart and find another woman to become Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt.
Alice Hathaway Lee
The belle of Boston, she was one of the most sought-after young women in the city. Suitors lined up to dance with her. Poised, beautiful, lithe, and well-mannered, her family called her “Sunshine,” because of her sunny disposition. Of her, TR said that it was love at first sight, but with so many other young Bostonians seeking her hand, how could a rough, slightly odd New Yorker who talked too fast, walked too fast, and did taxidermy in his dorm room win her heart?
Elliott Roosevelt
TR’s younger brother was more handsome, more sophisticated, and more well-liked than TR, but he also had a problem. Even at a young age, he liked to drink, smoke, and chase women. Elliott and TR were best friends, but would their differing lifestyles eventually drive them apart? Edith never liked Elliott.
Alice Roosevelt
Born mere hours before her mother’s death, Alice was left in the care of her Aunt Bamie, TR’s sister, for much of the first three years of her life. Would his father re-marry? Would her step-mother accept her as her own, or would she always be an outsider in her own family?
Granville Roland Fortescue
Granville Roland Fortescue was Theodore Roosevelt’s cousin. Seventeen years younger than TR, Roly, as he was called by TR, was an important but unsung part of the President’s life. Why? Because Roly Fortescue was a bastard. He was the illegitimate son of TR’s Uncle Barnwell–part of Barnwell’s second, and very secret family.
​
Roly was a member of the Rough Riders. He was beside TR when they charged, side by side, up San Juan Hill. He was decorated by TR for his service, and earned a Purple Heart in the battle.
​
Over the next ten years Roly would serve in the White House as a military aide, boxing partner, and hunting companion for TR. Roosevelt would send him as an observer to Manchuria, an investigator of the Brownsville Incident, and as a military instructor in Cuba.
Richard Welling
Richard Welling, TR’s classmate, says that “in truth, Roosevelt is the most unHarvardlike man to ever graduate from Harvard.” Welling was a bit of an anomaly. Calling himself “the strongest man at Harvard,” he was uncomfortable around women, never danced, and spent most of his free time in the gymnasium or going on extraordinarily long hikes. After graduation Welling moved to New York City. He and TR remained friends, and Welling helped TR in his political campaigns. Welling was always a “confirmed bachelor,” and while TR occasionally tried to set him up on dates while they were at Harvard, he later gave up and accepted the fact that Welling had no interest in women. Welling was an incorrigible gossip, and his tendency to gossip, especially to the newspapers, would eventually cause a split between the two men.
Emily Carow
Edith’s younger sister Emily was liked by no one and evolved into a spiteful busybody. She was especially jealous of her sister, Edith. She intentionally sabotaged one of her sister’s relationships. When the Carow money ran out, the Carow women sold everything in New York and moved to Italy, where they could live more cheaply. Would Edith and TR’s relationship ever survive such a move? Later in life, Alice Roosevelt would name her pet green snake “Emily Spinach,” in tribute for her disliked Aunt Emily.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was seven years younger than Roly Fortescue. In 1904 FDR was engaged to Theodore Roosevelt’s favorite niece, Eleanor. At TR’s inauguration and family events, FDR and Fortescue would meet, and have the opportunity to size each other up.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor, a shy and unappreciated young woman was engaged to the handsome young man who would become her husband.
