TR

Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States.

How many of you know that from the movie Night at the Museum?

Teddy Roosevelt was also many other things. Just to name a few he was: a rancher, a conservationist, Governor of NY, a Rough Rider, a volunteer soldier, a Medal of Honor winner, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, Secretary of the US Navy, the man who finally got the Panama Canal built, a family man, a naturalist, an honest man, the establisher of anti-trust acts, the establisher of the first police academy, the establisher of the National Parks system, and a Harvard man.

He led a rich and full life.

Did you also know that he had childhood asthma? In the 19th century, anyone with asthma was confined to quiet indoor activities such as reading. An active life out of doors was not encouraged. The only known treatment for the symptoms for asthma at the time was alcohol. It would dilate the capillaries in the lungs allowing better oxygen exchange and would also help relax the bronchial spasms. Teddy was often administered whisky for his condition and quickly became addicted before his teen years.

Luckily, TR was a strong willed child and wanted to do and see all the things outside that he read about in books. He kicked the bottle habit and went out in the world to embrace life. He was able to overcome his childhood asthma with lots of physical activity or as he called it the” strenuous outdoor life.”

Teddy Roosevelt was a remarkable man and he was married to a remarkable woman, Edith. Because of her, the White House now has the West Wing. At the time of TR’s presidency, the Executive Offices were located on the second floor of the White House. The First Family living space consisted of only two rooms. It was cramped quarters with six children. One day, Edith had more than enough and went on a rampage. She supposedly tossed typewriters out of second-story windows and told all the office workers to get out as she reclaimed the upstairs bedrooms. Teddy simply called up the Army and asked them to bring over some surplus tents to set up on the lawn. The tents served as the Executive Offices until the West Wing was built.

If you would like to learn more about Theodore Roosevelt, read H. W. Brands' biography T.R.: The Last Romantic.