Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Older Brother James


Figure 1.--This photograph shows Rosy in 1886 endulging in his favorite hobby--coaching. It was a very expebsive diversion. Rosy hols the reins, his wife Helen Astor Roosevelt sits beside him. The children Taddy and Helen and perhaps their governess are behind them. Note Taddy's dark wide-brimmed hat.

Franklin had a much older half-brother from his father's first marriage--James Roosevelt. He was an adult by the time that Franklin was born and this more of an uncle. He did not play a major role in Franklin's life, but is of interest because he demonstrates what Franklin could have been. Not only did James have some money from his father, but he married Helen Astor bring even more money. His prncipal occupation in life was amusing himself with trips to Europe and Bermuda. James had virtually no ambition. Franklin also could have done this, especially after he contracted polio. There was no need for him to have worked. He could have just chosen to amuse himself and live on his famikly wealth as James did. But for some reason associated with his character he chose as his cousin Theodore woukd have said, "to enter the arena". The difference between the two is particularly interesting in that they had the same father, afather that was very influential in Franklin's life. James' favotite activity was coaching, a sport he acquired during one of his many trips to England. [Ward, p. 133.] James was known as Rosy within the famuky and he and Helen had two children. Their son was known as Taddy. He was slightly older and bigger than Franklin who never cared much for him. In fact Taddy proved to be a troubled boy. Franklin did, however, did get on better with Taddy's sister Helen.

Father's First Marriage

Franklin had a much older half-brother from his father's first marriage--James Roosevelt.

German School

One one of their trips to Europe, James was enrolled in a German public school. He was 12-years old and attended school in Dresden during 1866. He wore a tam with with a jacket long trousers and the traditional German leather book satchel.

Life Style

James was an adult by the time that Franklin was born and this more of an uncle. He did not play a major role in Franklin's life, but is of interest because he demonstrates what Franklin could have been. Not only did James have some money from his father, but he married Helen Astor bring even more money. His prncipal occupation in life was amusing himself. Some of his favorite diversions were salmon fishing, stag stalking, and above all coaching. There were trips to Europe and Bermuda. James had virtually no ambition. Franklin also could have done this, especially after he contracted polio. There was no need for him to have worked. He could have just chosen to amuse himself and live on his famikly wealth as James did. But for some reason associated with his character he chose as his cousin Theodore woukd have said, "to enter the arena". The difference between the two is particularly interesting in that they had the same father, a father that was very influential in Franklin's life.

The Astors


Coaching

James' favotite activity was coaching, a sport for which he acquired a taste during one of his many trips to England. He was among the best amateur coach drivers in America. [Ward, pp. 133-135.]

English Home

Jamesand Helen had an estate at Heathfild near Ascot.

Children

James was known as Rosy within the family and he and Helen had two children. Their son was known as Taddy. James Roosevelt Senior did not approve of James' frivolus life style. He was convinced tht it was adversely affecting Taddy. In fact James seems to have had little time fir his children. [Ward, p. 135.]

Taddy was 3 years older and bigger than Franklin who never cared much for him. In fact Taddy proved to be a troubled boy. Franklin did, however, did get on better with Taddy's sister Helen. Growing up lose to each other, there was extensive interaction. Once the children did an after dinner-tableau. As they were well tutored in their Englih history, Franklin and Taddy played the Llttle Princes in the Tower who made a scene while Helen smummered them with pillows. Helen ws quite a little tomboy. Taddy was sometimes quite and withdrawn and other times uncontrollble. Alice Roosevelt, Theodore's oldest daughter, complined that he pulled her hair. His tutors thought him backward and he seemed unable to focus on his sudies. [Ward, p. 135.]

Sources

Ward, Geoffrey. Before the Trumpet: Young Franklin Roosevelt, 1882-1905 (Harper and Row: New York, 1985), 390p.









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Created: April 18, 2003
Last edited: April 18, 2003