Theodore (Teedie) Roosevelt, Jr.

Theodore, or Teedie, was Theodore and Mittie Roosevelt's second child. He was born on October 27, 1858. As a child, he was frail and undersized. He suffered from asthmatic attacks, along with chronic stomach troubles, headaches, and fevers. Due to his health, Theodore was tutored at home, along with his brother and sisters. Many thought that he might have a speech impediment when he was a child and young adult because of the way that he spat out words with great force. His mother described his laugh as an "ungreased squeak." He would grow to five feet eight inches. His teeth and glasses were his outstanding features.

Theodore attended Harvard University and transformed himself socially there. He married Alice Lee just after graduation. They had one daughter, Alice, together. On Feb. 14, 1884, both Theodore's mother and wife, Alice, died. Theodore would later marry Edith Carow.

Throughout his life...