Edith Carow Roosevelt

Edith Carow Roosevelt was the second wife of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, and served as the First Lady of the United States from 1901 to 1909. She was a close friend of Theodore Roosevelt's first wife, Alice Lee Roosevelt, and had known the Roosevelt family since childhood, often visiting their home in New York City and spending time with Theodore Roosevelt's sisters, Anna Roosevelt and Corinne Roosevelt Robinson. Edith Carow Roosevelt was known for her intelligence, wit, and strong personality, which made her a popular figure in Washington, D.C. and a trusted advisor to her husband, often seeking the counsel of Henry Cabot Lodge and Elihu Root. She was also a supporter of the Arts and Crafts movement and a patron of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where she would often meet with J.P. Morgan and John Singer Sargent.

● Early Life and Education

Edith Carow Roosevelt was born on August 6, 1861, in Norwich, Connecticut, to Charles Carow and Gertrude Tyler Carow. She spent her childhood in New York City and Connecticut, where she developed a love for literature and history, often reading the works of William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. She was educated at home and later attended Miss Comstock's School in New York City, where she studied alongside Eleanor Roosevelt and developed a strong interest in European history and French literature, particularly the works of Gustave Flaubert and Victor Hugo. Edith Carow Roosevelt's family was friends with the Roosevelt family, and she often visited their home in New York City, where she would meet with Theodore Roosevelt's friends, including Henry Adams and John Hay.

● Marriage and Family

In 1886, Edith Carow Roosevelt married Theodore Roosevelt in London, England, at the Church of St. George, Hanover Square, after a whirlwind romance, during which they would often take long walks in Hyde Park and attend performances at the Royal Opera House. The couple had five children together: Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Kermit Roosevelt, Ethel Roosevelt Derby, Archibald Roosevelt, and Quentin Roosevelt. Edith Carow Roosevelt was a devoted mother and wife, and she played an important role in supporting her husband's career, often hosting dinners and receptions at the White House for dignitaries such as King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. She was also a close friend of Alice Roosevelt Longworth, her stepdaughter, and the two women would often attend social events together, including the Coronation of King George V.

● White House Years

As First Lady of the United States, Edith Carow Roosevelt was known for her elegance and sophistication, often hosting lavish parties and receptions at the White House, including a famous dinner for the Prince of Wales and a reception for the Duke of Connaught. She was also a strong supporter of the arts and education, and she worked to promote the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Institution, often meeting with Charles Lang Freer and William Henry Holmes. Edith Carow Roosevelt was a popular figure in Washington, D.C., and she was widely admired for her intelligence and wit, often engaging in lively conversations with Woodrow Wilson and William Howard Taft. She was also a trusted advisor to her husband, and she played an important role in supporting his policies, including the Elkins Act and the Hepburn Act, which were designed to regulate the railroad industry and promote conservation.

● Later Life and Death

After leaving the White House in 1909, Edith Carow Roosevelt and her husband retired to Sagamore Hill, their home in Oyster Bay, New York, where they would often host friends and family, including Gifford Pinchot and Madison Grant. She continued to be involved in public life, and she worked to support various charitable causes, including the American Red Cross and the National Park Service, often meeting with Stephen Mather and Horace Albright. Edith Carow Roosevelt died on September 30, 1948, at the age of 87, and she was buried alongside her husband at Youngs Memorial Cemetery in Oyster Bay, New York, near the graves of Alice Lee Roosevelt and Quentin Roosevelt.

● Legacy and Impact

Edith Carow Roosevelt's legacy as First Lady of the United States is still celebrated today, and she is remembered for her intelligence, wit, and strong personality, which made her a popular figure in Washington, D.C. and a trusted advisor to her husband, often seeking the counsel of Elihu Root and Philander Knox. She was a strong supporter of the arts and education, and she worked to promote the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Institution, often meeting with Charles Lang Freer and William Henry Holmes. Edith Carow Roosevelt's impact on the White House and the Roosevelt family is still felt today, and she remains one of the most fascinating and influential women in American history, often studied alongside Dolley Madison and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Her legacy continues to inspire new generations of women, including Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, who have followed in her footsteps as First Lady of the United States. Category:First Ladies of the United States