The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt

The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt is a work of nonfiction by Edmund Morris. It’s the first in the Theodore Roosevelt series and centers around his earliest years until becoming President. It was first published in 1979 by Random House. It received the 1980 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography, and the 1980 National Book Award for Biography (Hardcover). Morris wrote biographies for US Presidents including Ronald Reagan, whom he once served as his authorized biographer. He is also a prolific travel and arts writer for publications such as The New Yorker.

Morris chronicles Roosevelt’s earliest years in some detail. Roosevelt is born in New York City to Mittie and Theodore Roosevelt, and he’s their second child. He suffers asthma which embarrasses his father. Doctors suggest he should spend a lot of time outdoors, but this isn’t good enough for Theodore Senior, who expects his son to strengthen himself up. He goes so far as installing a home gym, which Roosevelt loves—much to his doctor’s despair.

Roosevelt is naturally curious and loves to learn new things. He’s self-motivated and studies as many books in his father’s library as he can. Although he’s home-schooled, he’s accepted into Harvard University at just 17. He studies law and natural history, both of which he excels at. He also chooses his friends very carefully—he doesn’t believe everyone at Harvard is worthy of his time. When he’s not studying, he spends time with select people, but everyone notices his determination and aptitude for everything he does.



However, Roosevelt soon learns of his father’s sudden death, which sends him into mourning for a period. He’s at least contented with the fact that he never disappointed his family, which keeps him focused on his studies. He’s fascinated by the War of 1812 and dedicates much time to studying naval warfare. The lessons he learns are ones he will apply to foreign and domestic policy as President.

It’s around this time when he notices an attractive fellow student, Alice Lee. He doesn’t want to seduce her so soon after his father’s death, but he’s very much in love with her. When his natural history studies demand that he move abroad for a few years, he decides instead to narrow his studies to law and politics which lets him stay close to Alice. He’s very sharp-minded and fits in with political circles at the university. This pleases Alice, who also loves politics and learning. As a couple, they suit each other, and it’s not long before they’re married.

Once they’re wed, Roosevelt and Alice move, and he studies at Columbia School of Law. He decides to take politics more seriously and is attracted to the Republicans. However, at his first assembly, he’s mocked for being so young and polished, and how he doesn’t know anything about the world. The men say he’s not lived long enough to have a spirit for politics, and Roosevelt reacts passionately.



Roosevelt’s unimpressed with typical politics and the people involved in it. He thinks it’s full of hypocrisy, corruption and ignorance. He’s very well read and has complex, rounded opinions on everything. His passion, insights and persuasive abilities mean he’s quickly promoted to the speaker of the House by the Republicans.

The country’s buzzing with excitement about this new, young prospect, and how he has the potential to become President. Roosevelt, ever humble, doesn’t take these predictions seriously. He does, however, leave law school to focus on politics full-time, because he believes current US law is full of irrationality and doesn’t make any sense.

Meanwhile, Roosevelt’s personal life falls apart. He loses his mother to illness and Alice to childbirth within a very short space of time, and he becomes obsessed with his work. It’s clear from Roosevelt’s correspondence after Alice’s death that he couldn’t speak about her and he was genuinely heartbroken. He throws himself into exposing government corruption and raises his profile until he’s elected Republican party leader.



After clashing with Republican members and losing support, he temporarily retires from political life and remarries. He spends time hunting and raising his new children before returning to public life—and an invitation to run for New York City Mayor. He loses but joins the board of New York City Police Commissioners until he becomes Assistant Secretary of the Navy—a post which will change his political future.

He actively campaigns for Cuban independence and rails against Spanish occupation. He leads his own cavalry regiment against Spanish forces in Cuba and returns to much praise for forcing the Spanish to retreat after a skirmish. It’s this spirit, combined with the popular policies he later introduces, which mean he’s elected as the President of the United States.

Morris tries to show us the political, moral and personal issues which affect who Roosevelt was and who he later becomes. He combines unshakeable determination, skill and an ability to see every side, which will make him one of the most successful US Presidents.