Theodore Roosevelt

An item at American Writers Museum

Born into a wealthy New York family, Theodore Roosevelt struggled against childhood asthma and the perils of indolence and irrelevance that claimed many of his peers. He made himself into a heroic exemplar of American virtues and ideals, vigorous in mind and body, a democratic citizen equally at ease with Edith Wharton, John Muir, and Seth Bullock. In 1901, he became the 26th U.S. President.

Roosevelt was a prolific writer of history, biography, natural history, political essays and speeches, and memoirs that recorded his amazing life as a politician, rancher, volunteer soldier, hunter, explorer, conservationist, and international statesman.

AMERICAN VOICES

An exhibit at American Writers Museum

American writing is distinctive, diverse, and comes in many forms from across the nation. The 100 authors featured here represent the evolution of American writing. Learn more about each writer on the timeline by turning the panels below their portraits. Explore centuries of writing by pulling, turning, and touching the interactive elements on the counter.

This is not meant to be a list of the greatest or most influential writers. Instead, we present authors and works as part of the American story as it grows and changes. Taken together, this rich literary heritage reflects America in all of its complexity: its energy, hope, conflict, disillusionment, and creativity.

American Writers Museum