Theodore Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858, in New York City, New York. Theodore was the second of the four children Theodore and Martha Bulloch Roosevelt had.

Theodore had two younger sisters, named Anna and Corinne. Theodore also had one older brother, named Elliot. Theodore’s family called him "Teedie" when he was growing up.

Theodore enjoyed an active childhood, although he was puny and frequently ill. He suffered greatly from asthma. While playing with friends one day, Theodore discovered he was nearsighted.

Theodore studied under tutors, until he entered Harvard University in 1876, at the age of 18. He earned good grades in college. Once he asked so many questions during a lecture, that the professor said, " Now look here Roosevelt, let me talk. I’m running this course." Roosevelt graduated from Harvard in 1880, at the age of 22.

Roosevelt was married twice. His first marriage was to Alice Hathaway Lee. She was the daughter of a wealthy official of a Boston investment firm. Alice and Theodore were married on Theodore’s twenty-second birthday.

On February 14, 1884, Alice Roosevelt died. Two days before she died, she gave birth to a baby girl, also named Alice. On the same day Theodore’s wife died, his mother died of typhoid fever.

Roosevelt’s second marriage was to Edith Kermit Carow. Theodore and Edith were childhood friends. They were married on December 2, 1886. They had five children. The children were named Theodore Jr., born in 1887, Kermit, born in 1889, Ethel Carow, born in 1891, Archibald Bulloch, born in 1894, and Quentin, born in 1897. Edith treated Alice like her own daughter.

Roosevelt had several jobs before entering politics. He enrolled in law classes at Columbia University, but did not enjoy them. He wrote his first book, titled, "The Naval War of 1812."

Roosevelt won his first election in 1881, to the state assembly in Albany, New York, as a member of the Republican Party.

Roosevelt became leader of the Republican minority, but earned the ill will of powerful members of his party. In 1884, after giving up what would have been another term in the legislator, he went to the Republican National Convention, as chairman of the New York delegation.

In 1883 Theodore visited the west. In 1884, he bought what became known as the Elkhorn Ranch on the Little Missouri River, in Dakota Territory. For the next several years he lived the hard life of a cowboy. One day he took part in the capture of three thieves.

He published many books. One of them was "Hunting Trips of a Ranch Man", and a biography on Thomas Hart Benton. Theodore also wrote many essays entitled "Practical Politics". That same year he wrote an opinionated biography on Governor Morris. Roosevelt then wrote his most famous book " The Winning of the West".

Theodore was very active in the presidential campaign of 1888, when Benjamin Harrison won over Grover Cleveland. During this time, Theodore also spoke forcefully in favor of hiring government workers, based on their skills, but because they were loyal members of the winning political party. Giving out jobs based on party loyalty was called patronage. Harrison rewarded Roosevelt’s activities by appointing him U.S. civil service commissioner in 1889.

In 1895 he returned to New York City to become president of the police board.

With the election of Ohio Governor William McKinley tot he presidency in 1896, Roosevelt urged friends to obtain for him the position of assistant secretary of the navy. McKinley granted him the office. Roosevelt acted quickly and played a key role in building the navy, and preparing it for action.

In 1898, Roosevelt and his troops captured San Juan Hill. After that victory Roosevelt became the best known U.S. hero. The newspapers began to call him "Teddy."

On August 15, 1898, Roosevelt ran for governor of New York. Roosevelt won by a little majority.

In 1900 Roosevelt was nominated as McKinley’s running mate for presidency. McKinley won presidency, and Roosevelt became Vice President.

On September 6, 1901, McKinley was shot by an assassin in Buffalo, New York. Eight days later, William McKinley died, and Roosevelt became the President.

Roosevelt became known worldwide as "Teddy". He hated that name, but endured it for public purposes.

Mrs. Roosevelt made the White House a place in which children played, and friends were warmly welcomed. The country knew the Roosevelt’s children by name.

Roosevelt wrote an article about Edwin Arligton Robinson’s book of poems called "Children of the Night". Roosevelt wrote this article when Robinson was unheard of. The article changed Robinson’s life, and began his rise to fame.

In Theodore’s two terms as president, he developed what he called a Tennis Cabinet. The Tennis Cabinet is an informal group of people whom he trusted in matters of state and whose company he enjoyed.

A little while after Roosevelt became president, he invited Booker T. Washington to eat with him at the White House. Southern politicians were mad at Roosevelt. Teddy held his ground, but he never invited Booker to the White House again.

In the election of 1904, Roosevelt decided to run for presidency. He won with 336 electoral votes.

In 1908 many people thought Roosevelt would run for President again, but he didn’t.

In his life after President, Teddy took a trip to Africa, and wrote a book about his adventures, titled "African Game Trails."

After, his trip to Africa, Roosevelt’s family joined him for a tour of Europe.

In 1912, Roosevelt ran for president again, but he lost to Woodrow Wilson.

Roosevelt received an invitation to explore the River of Doubt in Brazil. The river is now called the Roosevelt River. While in Brazil, Roosevelt became very sick. He also wrote a book called, " Through the Brazilian Wilderness."

At the age of 60, Roosevelt was very sick, and complained of being old. Roosevelt lost his hearing in one ear. Quentin, Roosevelt’s youngest son, died in action overseas. This death had been a severe blow to Roosevelt. Roosevelt remained active, until his death in 1919 at the age of 61. He died in his Oyster Bay Home.