Theodore Roosevelt: The Man, the Myth, the Mason

“Knowing what's right doesn't mean much unless you do what's right.” – Brother Theodore Roosevelt

Brother Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, stands as a larger-than-life figure in the American psyche. Although he was the youngest man in the nation’s history to reach its highest office, he displayed remarkable maturity and devotion to public service. Already a Freemason when he reached office, he showed a deep commitment to the principles of the Craft, particularly service to others. Brother Roosevelt believed the President needed to be a "steward of the people" and protect their interests above all else.

On the campaign trail, he evoked Masonic imagery and conduct with the "Square Deal," his platform advocating progressive reforms between capital and labor that emphasized consumer protection, corporate regulation, and the conservation of natural resources. He is best known as an ardent conservationist and lover of the natural world. He established the United States Forest Service and created five national parks, 18 national monuments, and over 150 national forests and wildlife refuges. All while promoting a robust foreign policy and revolutionizing presidential transparency by holding twice-daily press conferences, engaging directly with the American public.

In all, he was a skilled diplomat, a courageous military leader, an accomplished author, and a devoted Freemason. This is the story of his amazing journey that took him across the world, made him the leader of the free world, and brought him to the light of our great fraternity.

Early Life

Brother Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt Jr. was born on October 27, 1858, in Manhattan, New York City, and was the second of four children born to Martha Stewart Bulloch and businessman and philanthropist Theodore Roosevelt Sr. Known in adulthood for his sturdy, robust frame and demeanor, Brother Roosevelt was sickly as a boy. He had severe asthma, which left him in poor health, but it did not curb his intellectual curiosity or physical stamina. Brother Roosevelt learned during childhood that rigorous exercise helped his asthma and prompted him to take up gymnastics and weightlifting.

From a young age, he also took an interest in the natural sciences, teaching himself basic taxidermy and creating a makeshift natural history museum as he caught and studied animals. When he was just nine, Brother Roosevelt published his first scientific paper, an observation of insects entitled "The Natural History of Insects."

Theodore Roosevelt Sr. greatly influenced his son, encouraging his hobbies, introducing him to cultural affairs, and ensuring he and his siblings were worldly people, taking them on trips to Europe and Egypt. Brother Roosevelt later said, "My father, Theodore Roosevelt, was the best man I ever knew. He combined strength and courage with gentleness, tenderness, and great unselfishness. He would not tolerate in us children selfishness or cruelty, idleness, cowardice, or untruthfulness." Based on this account, it is clear Theodore Sr. helped instill the heart of a Mason in Brother Roosevelt from a young age.

Education, Law, and Career Beginnings

Brother Roosevelt was homeschooled until he started his college journey at Harvard University in 1876, where he studied zoology, natural history, and other subjects and took up rowing and boxing. He also joined the Alpha Delta Phi literary society, the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, and the prestigious Porcellian Club. During this time, he also served as an editor of The Harvard Advocate.

After college, Brother Roosevelt spent one year at Columbia University Law School before running for a seat in the New York State Assembly. At just 23, he was elected and began a lifelong career in the public service. That same year, he married Alice Hathaway Lee who gave birth to their daughter, Alice Lee Roosevelt on February 12, 1884. Tragically, the new mother died of undiagnosed kidney failure days later – the same day Brother Roosevelt’s mother, Martha, died of typhoid fever. On this day, he wrote, “The light has gone out of my life.”

He soon served out his second term, devoting much of his attention to a legislative investigation into corruption of the New York City government. Brother Roosevelt’s popularity rose quickly, and he became the Republican party leader in the state assembly and wrote more bills than any other legislator during his final term. Once his term ended, he moved to his ranch in the Dakota Badlands where he could finally mourn the deaths of his wife and mother properly, away from the public eye. When he returned to New York in 1886, he married his childhood sweetheart, Edith Kermit Carow and together they raised five children in addition to young Alice: Theodore III, Kermit, Ethel, Archibald, and Quentin.

The Rough Riders and National Recognition

Upon his return to New York, Brother Roosevelt wasted no time diving back into politics. He ran for mayor of New York (he unfortunately lost) and recentered his focus on rooting out corruption in American politics. After a stint on the U.S. Civil Service Commission and as President of the New York City Board of Police Commissioners, President William McKinley took notice of his political prowess and made him Assistant Secretary of the Navy.

At the onset of the Spanish-American War in 1898, Brother Roosevelt resigned from his post and organized the 1st Volunteer Cavalry, affectionately known to Americans today as the Rough Riders. It was a remarkably diverse band that included Ivy Leaguers, cowboys, athletes, Native Americans, seasoned soldiers, and tradesmen. They trained for several weeks in San Antonio, Texas, before landing in Daiquiri, Cuba. Their famous charge up Kettle Hill during the Battle of Santiago earned Brother Roosevelt national recognition and positioned him for great political success when he returned home.

Theodore Roosevelt poses in his cavalry uniform — Colonel Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War

The New York Republican party capitalized on his newfound fame and put him up as their candidate in the approaching gubernatorial election. Brother Roosevelt defeated a popular Democratic candidate, winning the governorship, and immediately established himself as a politically independent thinker unwilling to bow to pressure from the party bosses. He returned to his battle against state corruption and gained invaluable economic and political knowledge. Brother Roosevelt also connected with his middle-class political base by holding press conferences twice daily - a tactic unheard of previously.

Colonel Roosevelt and the Rough Riders after capturing Kettle Hill in Cuba, July 1898.

New York Republicans regretted helping the trailblazing Brother Roosevelt for his unwillingness to tow the party line. To keep him from seeking a second term, they worked with the national party to secure Brother Roosevelt as President McKinley's running mate. He was relentless on the campaign trail, tallying 21,000 miles on his journey to speak in 24 states.

Masonic Values and the White House

President William McKinley (also a Freemason) and Vice President Brother Roosevelt won the White House in a decisive victory. On April 24, 1901, just one month after he became Vice President, Brother Roosevelt was raised to the degree of Master Mason. He was a member of Matinecock Lodge No. 806 of Oyster Bay, New York, and spent many years as an active and proud Freemason. Over the years, he participated in Masonic activities worldwide, visiting lodges in Africa, Europe, and South America. He also assisted in laying the cornerstone of the Pilgrim Memorial Monument in Provincetown, MA, broke ground for the Spokane, WA, Masonic Temple, and laid the cornerstone at the north gate of Yellowstone Park.

Brother Roosevelt wearing his Masonic Apron

A year into his presidency, Brother William McKinley was assassinated, and Brother Roosevelt was propelled to the highest office in the land. In the years ahead, Brother Roosevelt’s commitment to Masonic values of integrity, charity, and brotherhood reinforced his dedication to moral leadership. Just 42 years old, Brother Roosevelt spent two terms as president, leaning into his progressive vision for the nation and exhibiting a dynamic leadership style that reshaped the executive office and left an enduring impact on American politics.

His presidency was defined by several accomplishments:

Progressive Reforms and the "Square Deal": Brother Roosevelt’s "Square Deal" policies aimed to protect the common man against big business and corruption. His administration implemented crucial reforms in consumer protection, corporate regulation, and labor rights. The Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act were landmark legislations that ensured the safety and quality of food and pharmaceuticals, reflecting his dedication to consumer protection and public health.

His aggressive stance against monopolies and corporate malfeasance earned him the nickname "Trust Buster." He initiated numerous antitrust lawsuits, targeting powerful industrialists and breaking up large conglomerates to promote fair competition. His efforts to dismantle monopolistic practices were instrumental in fostering a more equitable economic environment and curbing the excesses of corporate power.

Conservation Efforts: Under Brother Roosevelt’s leadership, America established the United States Forest Service and designated five national parks, 18 national monuments, and over 150 national forests and wildlife refuges. His dedication to conservation ensured the protection of vast tracts of wilderness and laid the groundwork for the modern environmental movement.

Foreign Policy and Diplomacy: Brother Roosevelt expanded the U.S. Navy, earning it the nickname "The Great White Fleet," and facilitated the construction of the Panama Canal, a monumental engineering feat that forever changed global trade. His diplomatic acumen was recognized when he earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for mediating the end of the Russo-Japanese War.

Public Engagement and Transparency: Just as he did as Governor, Brother Roosevelt revolutionized the relationship between the presidency and the public by holding twice-daily press conferences, a practice unprecedented at the time. This direct engagement with the media and the American people increased transparency and allowed Brother Roosevelt to communicate his policies and vision effectively. His approachable and communicative style endeared him to the public and set a new standard for presidential leadership.

Post-Presidency and the Progressive Party

After Brother Roosevelt left office in 1909, he embarked on a safari in Africa to collect specimens for the National Museum of Natural History on behalf of the Smithsonian Institution. He then toured Europe to lecture at the University of Oxford and the Sorbonne in Paris but could not stay away from politics for long. Discontented with his successor, William Howard Taft, Brother Roosevelt sought the Republican nomination for president in 1912 but lost.

Rather than accept defeat, he formed the Progressive Party, popularly known as the "Bull Moose Party," and again hit the campaign trail with vigor. After failing to win a third term, Brother Roosevelt led a dangerous expedition to South America to explore the River of Doubt. The journey nearly cost him his life due to illness and injury.

Brother Roosevelt was a prolific writer throughout his life, authoring about 35 books including The Life of Thomas Hart Benton, The Life of Gouverneur Morris, and The Winning of the West. He also wrote an autobiography and "Through the Brazilian Wilderness," which recounts his Amazon expedition.

During World War I, Brother Roosevelt was a staunch advocate for American preparedness and entry into the war. He criticized President Wilson’s initial stance of neutrality and, after the U.S. joined the war, supported the war effort vigorously. He volunteered to lead a division of troops – even as his health was in decline. President Wilson declined his offer, though four of Brother Roosevelt’s sons served, and his youngest son, Quentin, was killed in combat.

Death and Legacy

If Brother Roosevelt’s life was characterized by passion and hard work, it is no surprise he considered a final presidential campaign in 1920. Alas, it was not to be, and the toll on him from his son’s death and ongoing illness became too much. Brother Roosevelt passed to the Celestial Lodge on January 5, 1919. Then Vice President Thomas R. Marshall remarked, "Death had to take Roosevelt sleeping, for if he had been awake, there would have been a fight."

Political allies and adversaries alike attended his funeral out of respect, even as snow lined the streets. This was a testament to his legacy as a reformer, conservationist, military leader, author, and dedicated Freemason. His presidency marked a turning point in American history, characterized by bold leadership, progressive reforms, and an unwavering commitment to public service. Brother Roosevelt's enduring impact on American society and the natural world is a testament to his vision, courage, and steadfast dedication to the greater good. His life story remains a powerful example of moral leadership and the profound influence one individual can have on the course of history.