Franklin Delano Roosevelt, popularly referred to as FDR, was the 32nd president of the United States. He was born into a prominent upper-class family on January 30, 1882, and was the only child of James and Sara Delano Roosevelt.
Roosevelt was home-schooled by private tutors until he became fourteen years old and gained admission into the prestigious Groton Preparatory School. At Groton, he was groomed to be a gentleman, and based on the teachings of his beloved headmaster, he developed a keen interest in public service and helping the less fortunate.
Upon graduating from Groton in 1900, Roosevelt enrolled at Harvard University, where he joined the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity and also became the editor of the Harvard Crimson Newspaper. It was equally at Harvard that he met and fell in love with his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, who was the niece of his fifth cousin, Theodore Roosevelt. They got married in 1905.
Roosevelt went on to study Law at Columbia University and passed the New York bar exam in 1907. However, he realized that he wasn’t cut out for the practice of law. FDR had been disinterested in his studies while at Columbia and was also dispassionate about the legal practice. He practiced law for a few years before discovering where his genuine interest lay. He realized that his passion lay in politics and worked tirelessly to become a renowned politician.
His big break into American politics came when he won a seat in the New York Senate in 1910. Over the years, he gained recognition as a political figure, served as the Assistant Secretary to the U.S. Navy, was nominated for the position of Vice President in 1920, and became the Governor of New York in 1928.
Roosevelt was elected the 32nd president of the United States in 1932 and served for a record-breaking number of four terms, a feat that remains unrivaled in the United States history. He was the president of the United States during the great crises that occurred in the 20th century – The Great Depression and World War II. In both emergencies, his reforms, strategies, and tactics, ensured that the people of the United States regained faith in themselves. Besides, the United States earned the respect of other countries and became a source of strength to countries across the world.
Rising above poliomyelitis and other personal struggles, Roosevelt has indeed stamped his name in world politics and American history. He is regarded as one of the greatest American presidents of all time.