The result of this highly practical, even Machiavellian politics was an unprecedented four terms in office, preceded by unprecedented electoral landslides. Just so, Roosevelt carefully administered the pork, though at the same time he delegated authority to those he deemed trustworthy-a roster that did not include his wife, Eleanor-and practiced what might be called a controlled candor so that the press and people would see things his way. So it was that, in the storied Hundred Days that opened the New Deal, Roosevelt “let it be known that he would make no patronage appointments until the end of the session”-and he had more than 100,000 of them to hand out, an arsenal calculated to repay loyalty. Smith writes that FDR was hardworking, astute, smart and vindictive he punished enemies for decades, while his political friends reaped ample rewards. But, recounts an admiring Smith ( John Marshall, 1996, etc.), the polio that confined him to a wheelchair converted him into a champion of the common man for much of his career, particularly as president. Descended from the colonial aristocracy, he had all the prejudices of the moneyed class. Jean Edward Smith talked about his biography FDR, published by Random House.An outstanding biography of “the most gifted American statesman of the twentieth century,” who, to the consternation of conservatives ever since, created the activist presidency.įranklin Roosevelt was callow and arrogant when he entered politics. Authors of recently published works that drew upon the Roosevelt Library archives presented author talks. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum hosted the Roosevelt Reading Festival IV in the Henry A.
This event was part of a year-long celebration of the 125th anniversary of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s birth. He responded to questions from members of the audience. Professor Smith researched President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s private and public life which included his battle with polio, as well as the American economy and ways in which President Roosevelt changed the American citizenry’s relations with their government. T16:11:47-04:00 Jean Edward Smith talked about his biography FDR, published by Random House.
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