Children Of Theodore Roosevelt

Did Theodore Roosevelt Have Children?

Yes. Theodore Roosevelt’s six children were born as the result of two marriages. His first marriage, to Alice Hathaway Lee, was from 1880 until her death in 1884, two days after the birth of their only child, a daughter. His second marriage to Edith Kermit Carow was from 1886 until his death in 1919. The couple had five children.

What are Theodore Roosevelt’s Children’s Names?

Theodore Roosevelt’s child from his first marriage is Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth, born in New York City on February 12, 1884. The remaining five children of Theodore Roosevelt were a result of his second marriage: Theodore III (born 1887), Kermit (born 1889), Ethel (born 1891), Archibald (born 1893), and Quentin (born 1897).

Coming from a very family-oriented environment, it’s no surprise that to Theodore Roosevelt, kids were the key to a truly fulfilled life. Although his children did not primarily follow in his political footsteps, some of them went on to lead rather notable lives.

His first child, Alice, was born in 1884, as a result of his first marriage to Alice Hathaway Lee. Sadly, the circumstances surrounding her birth were very tragic. Because Teddy had been convinced their child would not be born until their engagement-anniversary date of February 14, he was out of town on business in Albany, when his wife gave birth on February 12. After receiving a telegram on February 13 about the birth, he immediately began making plans to return home. However, before he could leave, he received another telegram, informing him that his beloved wife was gravely ill with what was later found to be a kidney disease (Bright’s disease). By the time Teddy arrived home later that night, his wife was semi-comatose and died a few hours later, on February 14, what would have been their anniversary. Because of these tragic circumstances, the child was raised by her aunt – Anna “Bamie” – and was forever after referred to as “Baby Lee” and later, “Mrs. L”.

The children born as a result of his second marriage to Edith have widely varying histories. His eldest, Theodore III was a veteran of both WWI and WWII, awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He later held numerous political offices and was instrumental in establishing the American Legion in 1919. His second son, Kermit, accompanied his father as an explorer across two continents, served as a soldier in WWI and WWII for both Britain and the U.S., attended Harvard University, and lost a lifelong battle with alcohol and depression, committing suicide in 1943. Ethel, his younger daughter, was the forerunner in the preservation of the Oyster Bay Roosevelt legacy, and their family home (Sagamore Hill) following the death of her mother in 1948. His fourth child with Edith was Archibald, who served as an officer (as well as commander) in WWI and WWII, earning the Silver Star and Purple Heart, as well as the French Croix de guerre. Following the war, he was a businessman whose successes included being a spokesman for right wing politics and a bond brokerage house in New York City. Quentin, Teddy’s youngest child, followed his family’s example by joining the U.S. Army Air Service as a pursuit pilot in WWI. Known for his charm and popularity, he was also renowned for being daring. Sadly, he was killed during aerial combat over France during Bastille Day July 14, 1918.