Lived

October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919

Home State

New York

Party

Republican; later Progressive

Vice President

Charles W. Fairbanks

Theodore Roosevelt became the youngest President in American history after McKinley's assassination and reshaped the modern presidency. A trust-buster, conservationist, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, he broke up Northern Securities, created national parks and forests, and mediated the Russo-Japanese War. He signed the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act. His legacy also includes the Panama Canal, obtained by encouraging Panamanian secession, and the 'Big Stick' interventions in Latin America that shaped hemispheric relations for decades. New York State Assembly, U.S. Civil Service Commissioner, NYC Police Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Colonel of the 'Rough Riders' at San Juan Hill, Governor of New York, Vice President under McKinley.

Harvard College, 1880; Columbia Law School (did not graduate).

Broke up Northern Securities and other trusts using the Sherman Act. Signed the Antiquities Act, the Pure Food and Drug Act, and the Meat Inspection Act. Created five national parks, 150 national forests, and 51 federal bird reserves. Brokered the Treaty of Portsmouth ending the Russo-Japanese War (Nobel Peace Prize, 1906). Secured the Panama Canal. Signed the Antiquities Act (1906), the Pure Food and Drug Act (1906), the Meat Inspection Act (1906), the Hepburn Act (1906), and the Newlands Reclamation Act (1902).

The Panama Canal was obtained by encouraging Panamanian secession from Colombia. Dismissed 167 Black soldiers en masse over the Brownsville Affair, most later exonerated. His 'Big Stick' interventions in Latin America foreshadowed decades of resentment.