Eleanor and Franklin

One aspect that caught my attention is that the Roosevelts both were members of the elite.  Eleanor from birth accepted the role of men in politics and for a few years of marriage saw her duty to support her husband Franklin in his political ambitions while tending to their children and the household.  

They both had progressive views and Franklin found her more enjoyable to talk with than the many more attractive women interested in his good looks and connections to wealth.  The cousins married  with former President Ted Roosevelt giving away the bride who happened to be his niece.  Franklin started rising in the political world working in the White House and becoming Governor of New York state and the Presidency.  Eleanor was very useful in supporting his efforts, but her  views became more progressive.

They had had six children.  In 1918 Eleanor learned that Franklin had a relationship with Lucy Mercer.  She threatened divorce over it.  However she was conscious this would hurt his political prospects and made an adjustment.  She had a difficult relationship with her mother in law, but the marital difficulty led to a sort of emancipation for Eleanor who became more active in political issues.

They were both idealistic, but he tended to be more practical.  One issue was Abolition that she favoured, but he felt had led to crime.  She always favoured the disadvantaged, but he realized he could only push Congress so far.

A lot changed when Franklin got polio in 1921and lost the use of his legs.  At first it was uncertain to what extent and for long he would be incapacitated.  I had thought he must have hidden his disability, but he was open about it even as he was campaigning for office.  She was an important support for his political progress.

Eleanor is very unique among First Ladies.  Not a fashion leader.  She gave her own press conferences     and wrote regularly.  She changed the role of First Ladies with Harry Truman declaring she became First Lady for the whole world.

She had power, not just to deal with her husband directly, but maybe more so indirectly.  For instance she was able to set tables for social occasions where many were wanting to sit close to the president.  Although many claimed they respected her views she was often made aware they really wanted to meet the president.  He often was annoyed with her ideas, but nonetheless adopted many of them.

Eleanor grew up accepting the racial status quo and she realized the politics, but crusaded in many different fronts to increase racial equality.  One example of race and politics was when Jesse Owens won four gold medals in the Nazi Olympics, but was not acknowledged and treated with respect as other achievers were by FDR.  She pushed for more military involvement of blacks with some success.  She elevated numerous blacks to more prominence, but had to be concerned about the reaction of southern Congressmen.

The idea of four terms is against American political traditions.  The third term was with the world already involved with World War II.  To be honest the Roosevelts were concerned about how the Republicans wanted to turn America towards.  We fear Trump's talk of running for a third term because we know how he wants to change America.

The book ends with his death which was unexpected, despite declining health.  After the Yalta Conference he found his iron braces too heavy for stand up speeches and chose to speak from a sitting position.  He visited his safe, reviving haven in Warm Springs, Georgia.  While there he fainted and shortly after died.    Eleanor stayed on the train that took him back to Washington.  It was Eleanor who notified Vice President Harry Truman.  see http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2016/12/truman-vs-today.html

The book ends there, but Eleanor remained active.  From 1945 to 1952 she served as the U.S. delegate to the United Nations General Assembly and was instrumental in setting up the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Several polls indicated she was the most admired woman in the entire world.            

This book comes from the perspective of a relative.  There are other perspectives and even information available after publication.  Eleanor Roosevelt and her husband were important historical forces.  I would urge you to check other writers.

 This specific book had a more personal connection.  The photo to the left is of the inside of the cover.  Hard to read, but the written note says "To Grandmother Coakwell from Grandson John Davidson.  Xmas"  I think my mother had something to do with it as she knew her mother admired Eleanor Roosevelt.  I would have been at least 23, just out of university and getting established.  I remember at one time I was a member of the Book of the Month club and sometimes neglected to stop delivery of their monthly selections.  I was not a fan of Eleanor Roosevelt at the time, but have come to appreciate she and her husband were very important for America and the world in general.

 My daughter Heather was honoured this past winter with a prestigious provincial award and in her speech she quoted FDR "We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future."