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1882
Who Was He?
By: David K. Every
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Apr 12,1999
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 uffice it to say that there is a lot of evidence for each of the claims I make -- and like most things there is some evidence that contradicts some of it (or that brings it in doubt if you don't want to believe the more common evidence). If you doubt what I'm saying, I recommend that you read up on FDR, it can be quite enlightening -- not only because of what he was (and did) but because of the contrasts between the facts, and the fiction that has become his legacy.
FDR was born in Hyde Park, New York on January 30, 1882. He was a child of wealth and name -- American royalty. He grew up out of touch with kids his own age (as was often the curse of the rich in those times) -- instead he was isolated and tutored and tended to by adults (and servants), occasionally following his parents around Europe. Until he was 14 he received his schooling from governesses and private tutors -- then he went to Groton prep school where his classmates found him somewhat priggish and superficial and called him the "feather-duster." He was a spoilt child, who lived in his mothers home until the day he died (with the exception of the White House residence), and he lived off his allowance from a trust set up by his father (which his mother administrated). While he occasionally went against his mothers wishes on some big decisions (wife and career) many historians label him a "mama's boy" -- though that seems a little extreme.
FDR was not a very industrious child who had almost no formal education early in life, and was not very into learning. He didn't like to read or study, and those knew FDR most admitted seldom seeing him with a book, and stated that he was not a "student" -- though he did have an affinity for some Naval History and enjoyed an occasional detective stories. He was not stupid by any means -- he was just not studious, nor particularly learned. Many thought that he was "brilliant by association" and that he hung out with academics -- but he wasn't known for learning or listening particularly well -- and many of those academics were later shown to be a bit on the lunatic fringe or just flat out wrong in their extreme theories.
FDR (by his own admission and others) knew very little about Economics or Business (and had read less on the subjects), in fact, there is little doubt that Hoover had far more education and understanding of both economics and business and was far better read and educated -- but that didn't stop FDR from criticizing everything Hoover did, then copying those same criticized policies (or failing to when he should have). He seemed to feel no shame about hypocrisy, and seemed to honestly believe his own hype.
He had a tumultuous relationship with his father, and was an active person in his youth that was into sailing -- later he got into some sports including football, tennis and golf -- until he contracted polio in 1921 (at age 39). He married his cousin, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (on 3/17/05) and seemed to enjoy breaking with traditions whenever possible. FDR was not a faithful person -- not even to his wife, and had an affair with Eleanor's private secretary (Lucy Mercer) -- and while did love his wife, that didn't prevent him from being indiscreet or callous about the affair and hurting her (he kept every love letter that Lucy ever gave him, which was how Eleanor found out). Under threat of disinheritance by his Mom (and threat of divorce by his wife), Roosevelt broke off the relationship. The marriage was successful enough on the surface and they had five children (a sixth died in infancy): Anna (1906), James (1907), Elliott (1910), Franklin D., Jr. (1914), and John (1916) -- but Eleanor was often unhappy (much of that having to do with living with FDR's mom, or having lots of home duties while Franklin played poker or enjoyed the good life).
Many who knew FDR said he was somewhat a snob in private (especially earlier in his life), but publicly he played "the common man" bit quite effectively. He often took credit for things that others did and was very into "braggadocio" and playing up his accomplishments. He would tell people stories about how when he "tried a case as a lawyer" -- but he never tried a case in his life. In fact while there is a little documented about his life as a "Lawyer", it seems that he made no impact at all (not the mark of a stellar lawyer). FDR used to talk about his exploits as a teacher -- but he was never a teacher. He told rooms full of WWI veterans about how he had "seen more war than any man in the room", and detailed the horrors of war and things he had seen on the battlefield -- yet FDR had never come near a battle in his life. The History of FDR that most people believe (and believed) were paid constructs that were meant to mislead people and were more P.R. (and fiction) than fact. He was very into image and the sales pitch -- and one of his greatest strengths was how he manipulated the press and managed his own image, and ultimately the public.
FDR graduated from Harvard (his only formal education -- and mostly likely his name and money contributed to his graduation). FDR later went to Columbia University to Study Law, but he failed to graduate. When he was later (as Governor) awarded an Honorary Phi Beta Kappa key (from William Smith-Hobart Ladies College) he wore this on his chain (vest) which led people to believe it was from Harvard -- FDR did nothing to dispel that myth (and seemed to promote it). He started as a law clerk -- but he was likely not a very good law clerk -- he was hired to Carter, Ledyard and Milburn (1907) because of his family name and while he did eventually make Jr. Partner, Mr. Ledyard circulated a written memo telling others in the firm "under no circumstances put any serious piece of litigation [in the hands of] Mr. Roosevelt". Those that knew FDR best seemed to consistently distrust him or think him incompetent.
FDR was not an exceptional speaker -- at least up until he became President, then suddenly the impressions people had about his speaking abilities improved dramatically (along with the quality of his speech writers, and his power). He did pride himself on his ability to manipulate the public -- he used this threat against his enemies often, and wielded that force more often. Those that knew him or worked with him (or against him) in congress often described him as "ruthless" -- he went to great effort to "get back" at those that disagreed with him or went against him. He used his power quite effectively, and would never forget when people didn't "go along".
FDR was not what you would call "a good manager" -- many that worked under him were quite frustrated and usually left their positions on unpleasant terms. He had an affinity for changing his mind, and giving people a responsibility -- then taking it away or giving the same responsibility to someone else at the same time (to cause conflict). There is evidence that he enjoyed these conflicts and tormenting these people (keeping them on their toes and keeping them fighting each other for his favor). His Military and Economic Advisors often couldn't say enough about what a poor administrator he was -- he would ignore important issues for months, make snap (and rash) decisions, and he made many decisions against the advice of all the people who knew more about a subject than he did. His Secretary of War (Stimson) publicly praised him, but wrote in his diary, "The President is the poorest administrator I have ever worked under... he is not a good chooser of men and does not know how to use them in coordination". FDR's behavior didn't lead to a lot of loyalty either -- many that were closest to him at one time (and were in his cabinet or advisors) had less than pleasant things to say once they had left -- many quit in disgust, or resigned in protest.
In hindsight it is impossible to call Franklin Delano Roosevelt an idealist -- or that he had any belief he really valued. He seemed more a pragmatist than anything else -- which many who call him a communist, fascist or socialist fail to realize. Many in the Democratic party considered him a publicity-seeker -- but he was a powerful one that they had to appease. He was just preying on the countries fears and would compromise with any and all groups as a way to get power for himself -- it was just that during his early elections the communists/socialists and labor movements (which were very intertwined at the time) were providing the swing votes, so he catered to them -- and he was was for centralizing power as many of those groups wanted (only Roosevelt centralized power for his own control). So FDR did aide dramatically the communists and socialists in the U.S., but it was strictly for adding to his own power base and not for any principles.
FDR did whatever he wanted, and often lied or deceived people -- he seemed to think manipulation was acceptable or at least the ends justified the means (the ends was usually his best interest). He broke most of the agreements he made, political, diplomatic or otherwise -- and many who dealt with him later felt betrayed. He was a true Politician.
All of this "opinion" is based on many facts that can be backed up and you can read about -- I will go into more depth in other articles, but there is a lot of information out there if you care to dig deeply enough.
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