Eleanor Roosevelt

Early Life Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was born on October 11, 1814 in New York City. She was the daughter of Elliot Roosevelt and Anna Hall Roosevelt. Eleanor after her father was nicknamed “Ellie” or “Little Nell”. Roosevelt was also the niece of President Theodore Roosevelt.

She had two brothers, Elliot Roosevelt, Jr. and Hall Roosevelt were both born later. Roosevelt was born into a world of wealth and privilege. Eleanor’s mother died from diphtheria when she was eight, and her father died two years later from an alcoholic. Her brother Elliot also died from that same disease as her mother.

Eleanor was later raised by her maternal grandmother, Mary Ludlow Hall. Most people described Eleanor as insecure and starved for affection considering her the “ugly duckling”. Her family decided to send her to Allenswood Academy, private school outside London, England.

Marriage and family Life In November 1904 Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt became engaged. Roosevelt at age 20 married Franklin Roosevelt, age 23, her fifth cousin once removed on March 17, They spent a formal honeymoon, a three month tour in Europe. The Roosevelt’s later had six children five whom survived infancy.

Eleanor Roosevelt as a child, teenager and adult.

Life in White House Following her husband’s presidency on March 4, 1933, she became the First Lady of the United States. She became a very important connection for Franklin’s administration to the African- American population during the segregation era. Eleanor was vocal in her support of the African-American civil rights movement.

A highlight of the Roosevelt years was the 1939 visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. They were also criticized in some different quarters for serving hot dogs to the royal couple during a picnic at Hyde Park.

Honors and Awards In Eleanor’s whole life time she received 48 honorary awards. Her first was a Doctor of Humane Letters. D.H.L. On June 13, 1929 was also the first honorary degree awarded by Russell Sage College in Troy, New York. Eleanor at Sunrise Campobello.

Her last was a Doctor of Laws, L.L.D. degree granted by what now is Clark Atlanta University in June Eleanor was also nominated three times in her whole life, for the Nobel Peace Prize, between 1947 and 1955.

Eleanor Roosevelt’s grave. Eleanor was injured on April of 1960 when she was struck by a car in New York City. Roosevelt died at her Manhattan home on November 7, 1962 at 6:15 p.m. at the age of 78.