Introduction
Franklin Delano Roosevelt is a name that resonates with most Americans, often associated with the New Deal and his leadership during the Great Depression and World War II. However, the story of how this privileged son of New York became one of the most influential presidents in American history is a tale of personal transformation, resilience, and unexpected challenges.
In "Becoming FDR," Jonathan Darman takes us on a journey through the early life and pivotal experiences that shaped the man who would lead America through some of its darkest hours. This book reveals how adversity and personal struggle transformed a self-centered young politician into an empathetic and powerful leader capable of guiding a nation through crisis.
The Golden Boy
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born into a life of privilege in 1882. His family's wealth and famous name seemed to guarantee a successful political career from the start. As a young man, FDR was tall, handsome, and graceful – the very picture of a rising political star.
In his early years, Franklin was known for his athletic prowess and energetic personality. He excelled in school and quickly made a name for himself in political circles. However, this version of Franklin was primarily focused on his own ambitions and personal gain. He even admitted to thinking only of himself during this period of his life.
Franklin's privileged upbringing was marked by an abundance of maternal love. His mother's adoration and constant praise instilled in him a deep-seated belief in his own specialness. This sense of exceptionalism would serve as both a strength and a weakness throughout his life, driving his ambition while sometimes blinding him to the needs of others.
A Fateful Summer
The trajectory of Franklin's life changed dramatically in the summer of 1921. At the age of 39, while vacationing with his family on Campobello Island off the coast of Maine, Franklin woke up one morning with a high fever and chills. What started as a seemingly routine illness quickly escalated into a life-altering event.
Within a day, Franklin found himself unable to stand or walk. His legs, once strong and athletic, now refused to bear his weight. The family vacation turned into a grueling test of endurance as Franklin's condition worsened. His wife Eleanor and his political strategist Louis Howe became his primary caretakers, tending to him around the clock.
The remote location of their vacation spot made it difficult to obtain proper medical care. When a doctor finally arrived, he misdiagnosed Franklin's condition as paralysis from a blood clot combined with extreme exhaustion. This incorrect diagnosis initially gave the family hope for a full recovery. However, the truth was far more devastating.
The Polio Diagnosis
As Franklin's condition persisted, it became clear that something more serious was at play. Eventually, with the intervention of outside doctors, the correct diagnosis was made: Franklin had contracted polio, also known as infantile paralysis.
This diagnosis was a crushing blow to the ambitious politician. Polio, particularly in severe cases like Franklin's, could cause permanent paralysis by destroying muscles, nerves, and even organs. The lack of early intervention and appropriate treatment during the initial stages of his infection had significantly worsened his prognosis.
For a man whose political career had been built on his imposing physical presence and charm, the reality of potentially permanent paralysis was devastating. Franklin now faced a future where he might never walk again – a prospect that seemed incompatible with his political aspirations.
A Family Transformed
The impact of Franklin's illness extended far beyond his own personal struggle. It reshaped his entire family dynamic, particularly his relationship with his wife, Eleanor.
Eleanor and Franklin's marriage had been strained for years. Despite their seemingly perfect match on paper – both from prestigious families and possessing keen political minds – their relationship had been marked by Franklin's infidelities and Eleanor's growing independence.
When Franklin fell ill, Eleanor was thrust into the role of full-time caretaker. For weeks, she slept in an armchair by his bedside, managing his care and shielding him from the prying eyes of the press and concerned acquaintances. This period of intense caregiving brought them closer together, even as it highlighted the vast differences in their personalities and experiences.
Eleanor, who had grown up starved for affection due to neglectful, alcoholic parents, found herself having to provide the constant care and attention that Franklin required. This experience would prove transformative for both of them, laying the groundwork for a new kind of partnership that would shape their future political careers.
The Road to Recovery
Franklin's journey to recovery was long and arduous. Determined to regain his ability to walk, he embarked on an intensive rehabilitation program. He acquired a barge, nicknamed LeRooco, which allowed him to sail the warm waters around Florida during the winter months. Here, away from the public eye, he could focus on swimming and sunbathing – activities he believed would aid in his recovery.
These trips south were kept discreet, with little mention in the press. Franklin was acutely aware that his political future hinged on appearing strong and healthy to the public. He became obsessed with the idea of walking again, regardless of what the doctors said about his chances.
While Franklin focused on his physical recovery, Eleanor stepped into the political spotlight. She had already begun to build a life independent of her husband before his illness, developing passionate relationships with other educated women and involving herself in progressive causes. Now, with Franklin unable to maintain his public presence, Eleanor took on a more prominent role in keeping the Roosevelt name active in politics.
Eleanor's Political Ascent
As Franklin retreated from public view to focus on his recovery, Eleanor's political star began to rise. Her background in volunteer work and her connections to progressive circles had given her a broad understanding of social issues that extended far beyond her privileged upbringing.
Eleanor's intelligence, eloquence, and political acumen quickly caught the attention of Democratic Party leaders. In the wake of women's suffrage, the party was eager to engage female voters, and Eleanor proved to be the perfect spokesperson. She was asked to head up the National Women's Committee of the Democratic Party, a position that catapulted her into the upper echelons of American politics.
Eleanor's approach to public life was markedly different from the traditional political wife. She used her platform to address pressing social issues, often subverting expectations by answering questions about her personal life before pivoting to substantial political topics. Her ability to connect with the public and her insightful analysis of political affairs made her a powerful ally and adviser to Franklin as he contemplated his return to politics.
The 1924 Democratic Convention
Franklin's return to the political stage came sooner than expected. In 1924, he was asked to nominate Al Smith for the Democratic presidential ticket at the party's national convention. This opportunity presented both a challenge and a chance for Franklin to reestablish himself in national politics.
The convention, held in Madison Square Garden, was a raucous affair. Tensions were high as delegates clashed over issues like Prohibition and the influence of the Ku Klux Klan. Into this charged atmosphere, Franklin made his dramatic entrance.
Unable to walk to the podium, Franklin had to be lifted onto the stage in his wheelchair. The crowd fell silent as they witnessed this spectacle, creating a moment of high drama that was broadcast across the nation via radio. As Franklin was helped to stand at the podium, gripping iron bars for support, the convention hall erupted in thunderous applause.
Franklin's speech nominating Al Smith was a triumph. His determination to overcome his physical limitations, combined with his stirring oratory, made him the star of the convention. This moment marked Franklin's reemergence as a national political figure and set the stage for his future campaigns.
A New Kind of Leader
The experience of living with disability profoundly changed Franklin's outlook and approach to leadership. He developed a deep empathy for those struggling against adversity, often taking time at political rallies to offer words of encouragement to disabled attendees.
This newfound empathy extended beyond personal interactions. When Franklin discovered the therapeutic benefits of the warm springs in Georgia, he became passionate about making these treatments available to others suffering from polio. He purchased a run-down spa in Warm Springs, Georgia, and transformed it into a modern rehabilitation center.
Franklin's vision for Warm Springs went beyond medical treatment. He saw it as a place where patients could socialize, navigate public spaces, and regain their confidence. This holistic approach to rehabilitation was revolutionary at the time and reflected Franklin's growing understanding of the social and emotional aspects of disability.
The Power of Radio
As Franklin worked to overcome his physical limitations, he also embraced new technologies that would shape his future presidency. Chief among these was radio, which was rapidly becoming a fixture in American homes.
Franklin recognized the power of this new medium to connect directly with the public. His warm, conversational speaking style was perfectly suited to radio broadcasts. He began to develop the skills that would later make his "fireside chats" so effective during his presidency.
Radio also allowed Franklin to maintain a public presence while minimizing the visibility of his disability. He could address the nation from the comfort of his home or office, projecting strength and confidence without having to navigate the physical challenges of public appearances.
Building a New Coalition
Franklin's experiences in Georgia, particularly his work at Warm Springs, helped him build a broad base of support that would prove crucial in his future political campaigns. His efforts to help polio survivors earned him goodwill across the country, particularly in the South.
This expanded geographic appeal, combined with his family name and his wife's connections to progressive causes, allowed Franklin to build a diverse coalition of supporters. He was able to bridge divides between urban and rural voters, laborers and intellectuals, and Northerners and Southerners in a way that few politicians of his era could match.
The Road to the Governorship
With his national profile rising and his health improving, Franklin set his sights on the governorship of New York. This position had long been seen as a stepping stone to the presidency, and Franklin was determined to follow in the footsteps of his cousin, Theodore Roosevelt.
The campaign for governor presented new challenges for Franklin. He had to find ways to project strength and vitality while managing his physical limitations. With Eleanor's help, he developed strategies to navigate public events, often using a combination of canes, supportive arms, and carefully choreographed movements to give the impression of greater mobility than he actually possessed.
Franklin's empathy and understanding of struggle, born from his own experiences, resonated with voters facing the economic uncertainties of the late 1920s. His message of hope and resilience, coupled with practical proposals for reform, helped him secure victory in the gubernatorial race.
Preparing for the Presidency
As governor of New York, Franklin continued to hone the skills and develop the policies that would define his presidency. He pushed for progressive reforms, including unemployment insurance and public works projects, that foreshadowed elements of the New Deal.
The stock market crash of 1929 and the onset of the Great Depression occurred during Franklin's tenure as governor. His response to these crises at the state level – emphasizing direct relief for the unemployed and government intervention in the economy – provided a blueprint for his later actions as president.
Throughout this period, Franklin and Eleanor continued to evolve their political partnership. Eleanor's connections to labor unions, civil rights activists, and other progressive groups helped inform Franklin's policies and expand his political base. Her ability to act as his "eyes and ears," traveling to parts of the state that Franklin couldn't easily visit, proved invaluable.
The 1932 Presidential Campaign
When Franklin decided to run for president in 1932, he faced skepticism from some quarters about his physical ability to handle the demands of the office. However, his years of careful image management and his record as governor helped allay these concerns.
The campaign itself was grueling, but Franklin's team had developed strategies to manage his energy and present him in the best possible light. They scheduled events carefully, ensuring that Franklin had time to rest and recover between appearances. They also made extensive use of radio addresses, allowing Franklin to reach voters across the country without the physical strain of constant travel.
Franklin's message of hope and action in the face of the Great Depression resonated with a nation in crisis. His promise of a "New Deal" for the American people offered a vision of government as a positive force for change and support in difficult times.
Conclusion: The Transformation Complete
Franklin Delano Roosevelt's journey from privileged son to transformative president was marked by personal struggle, resilience, and a profound shift in perspective. The man who took office in 1933 was vastly different from the self-centered young politician of earlier years.
Through his battle with polio and his years of recovery, Franklin developed a deep well of empathy and understanding for those facing adversity. This empathy, combined with his natural political talents and the support of his wife Eleanor, allowed him to connect with the American people in a uniquely powerful way.
The skills Franklin honed during his recovery – his ability to project strength in the face of weakness, his talent for using new media to reach the public, and his capacity for inspiring hope in difficult times – would prove crucial during the challenges of the Great Depression and World War II.
In the end, the very adversity that threatened to end Franklin's political career became the crucible in which his greatest strengths were forged. The transformation of Franklin Delano Roosevelt from a privileged son into a powerful, empathetic leader stands as a testament to the potential for personal growth and the impact that individual struggle can have on shaping a leader capable of guiding a nation through its darkest hours.