Photograph of Theodore Roosevelt, inscribed and signed

Subject Theodore Roosevelt (American, 1858 - 1919)

Date1917

ClassificationsHistory

DimensionsFrame: 24 x 20 3/4 x 2 in. (61 x 52.7 x 5.1 cm)
Photograph: 14 3/4 x 11 in. (37.5 x 27.9 cm)

DescriptionA photographic print of former President Theodore Roosevelt with inscription, May 11, 1917. The portrait of Roosevelt shows him wearing a dark colored suit and vest with a white collared shirt and striped tie. He has glasses with a single string connected to his tie. His hair is parted and he has a graying moustache. The photographer's mark is in the bottom proper left corner, "Pack Bros. N.Y." Roosevelt has inscribed a message in the mat in black ink with his signature, it reads: "May 11th / 1917 / To H. H. Merrick with the best wishes of / Theodore Roosevelt". The image is framed in a gold-painted wooden frame with a beige mat.

Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) was an American politician, soldier, and explorer who served as the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909. Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858 in New York City to a prominent business family. Roosevelt attended Harvard University and began law school at Columbia University before dropping out to enter politics. He served as a member of the New York State Assembly from 1882 to 1884 and became a national player in the Republican political sphere. He left New York briefly to build a ranch in North Dakota, before returning to New York City to run for mayor in the 1886 election, which he lost to Abram Hewitt.

President Benjamin Harrison appointed Roosevelt to the United States Civil Service Commission, where he served from 1889-1895. Roosevelt was then appointed as the president of the New York City Police Commissioners, where he worked to reform the police department from its corrupt reputation. The New York City political bosses of Tammany Hall were displeased with Roosevelt's crusade against Sunday alcohol sales and disbanded the Commission.

In 1897, President William McKinley appointed Roosevelt as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He was serving in that role when the USS Maine exploded in the harbor of Havana, Cuba on February 15, 1898, setting off the Spanish-American War. Roosevelt resigned his position as Assistant Secretary of the Navy and formed the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment with Colonel Leonard Wood. The unit became known as the "Rough Riders," and trained in San Antonio, Texas before landing in Cuba on June 23, 1898. Roosevelt famously led assaults up Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill, in what later became known as the Battle of San Juan Heights. Roosevelt returned to the United States in August 1898.

Upon his return to New York, Roosevelt was approached about running in the state's 1898 gubernatorial election. He defeated Democrat Augustus Van Wyck and served as Governor from 1899 until December 1900, when he was nominated for the open Vice Presidency position under President McKinley. Roosevelt served as Vice President for roughly six months before President McKinley was assassinated while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York in September 1901. Upon McKinley's death, Roosevelt assumed the presidency, and began a campaign of anti-corruption. Roosevelt also established the United States Forest Service and created the National Park Service. Roosevelt was reelected in 1904 and continued to push for reforms.

In the presidential election of 1912, Roosevelt left the Republican Party and earned the nomination under the newly formed Progressive Party. While campaigning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Roosevelt was shot by John Schrank in an attempted assassination. Roosevelt declined immediate medical attention and delivered a 90-minute speech. Roosevelt lost the election to Woodrow Wilson, but outpaced his former party's nominee - William Howard Taft.

Roosevelt spent his final years traveling, exploring South America from 1913-1914, and remained active in national politics. He died on January 6, 1919, from complications of blot clots in his lungs.