Characteristics of Eleanor

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was born on October 11, 1884, to Elliot and Anna Roosevelt who both were from wealthy families of New York's high society. Eleanor was, by her own description, plain and even ugly. She had a strained relationship with her mother, a beautiful and glamorous woman, who placed great emphasis on appearance. Eleanor adored her father who recognized the unique talents and charms that his daughter possessed. Tragically, both of Eleanor's parents died before she was ten years old. After their deaths, Eleanor and her brothers were raised by their material grandmother, Mary Hall. When Eleanor was fifteen, she was enrolled in an elite finishing school in London where her kindness, charitable nature and empathy for others began to emerge.

When Eleanor returned from London, Franklin, her fifth cousin, once removed, began courting her. The two soon fell in love and became engaged. Franklin grew bored with his law firm and decided to enter politics. Eleanor supported all his political ambitions including New York State Senator, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, a failed run as Vice President on the Democratic ticket, Governor of New York and ultimately as President. Eleanor became intimately involved in the problems that faced the nation and the world and emerged as a strong and unrelenting voice for the underprivileged, the poor and weak and the minorities. She is one of the most beloved people in American history. After FDR's death, she was named one of the first delegates to the UN. Her work there on behalf of the world's millions of refugees inspired President Harry Truman to refer to her as the First Lady of the World.