A shy, awkward child, starved for recognition and love, Eleanor Roosevelt grew
into a woman with great sensitivity to the underprivileged of all creeds,
races, and nations. Her constant work to improve their lot made her one of the
most loved--and for some years one of the most revered--women of her
generation.

She was born in New York City on October 11, 1884, daughter of lovely Anna Hall
and Elliott Roosevelt, younger brother of Theodore. When her mother died in
1892, the children went to live with Grandmother Hall; her adored father died
only two years later. Attending a distinguished school in England gave her, at
15, her first chance to develop self-confidence among other girls.

Tall, slender, graceful of figure but apprehensive at the thought of being a
wallflower, she returned for a debut that she dreaded. In her circle of friends
was a distant cousin, handsome young Franklin Delano Roosevelt. They became
engaged in 1903 and were married in 1905, with her uncle the President giving
the bride away. Within eleven years Eleanor bore six children; one son died in
infancy. "I suppose I was fitting pretty well into the pattern of a fairly
conventional, quiet, young society matron," she wrote later in her
autobiography.

In Albany, where Franklin served in the state Senate from 1910 to 1913, Eleanor
started her long career as political helpmate. She gained a knowledge of
Washington and its ways while he served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
When he was stricken with poliomyelitis in 1921, she tended him devotedly. She
became active in the women's division of the State Democratic Committee to keep
his interest in politics alive. From his successful campaign for governor in
1928 to the day of his death, she dedicated her life to his purposes. She
became eyes and ears for him, a trusted and tireless reporter.

When Mrs. Roosevelt came to the White House in 1933, she understood social
conditions better than any of her predecessors and she transformed the role of
First Lady accordingly. She never shirked official entertaining; she greeted
thousands with charming friendliness. She also broke precedent to hold press
conferences, travel to all parts of the country, give lectures and radio
broadcasts, and express her opinions candidly in a daily syndicated newspaper
column, "My Day."

This made her a tempting target for political enemies but her integrity, her
graciousness, and her sincerity of purpose endeared her personally to
many--from heads of state to servicemen she visited abroad during World War II.
As she had written wistfully at 14: "...no matter how plain a woman may be if
truth & loyalty are stamped upon her face all will be attracted to her...."

After the President's death in 1945 she returned to a cottage at his Hyde Park
estate; she told reporters: "the story is over." Within a year, however, she
began her service as American spokesman in the United Nations. She continued a
vigorous career until her strength began to wane in 1962. She died in New York
City that November, and was buried at Hyde Park beside her husband.