The Early Life of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Born in 1882 at Hyde Park, New York--now a national historical site—Franklin Delano Roosevelt had a highly unusual boyhood. For instance, his strict mother made him wear a dress until he was five years old! On the other hand, all indications show that “FDR’s” life was a happy one. The son of James Roosevelt and Sara Delano Roosevelt, he was constantly encouraged and pushed by them. His parents, each in their own distinct way, had a huge impact in modeling their son's character. Sarah dressed Franklin in dresses and long hair through 1885 when he was three. At age five his hair had been cut, but he was still wearing kilts.
FDR’s parents and private tutors provided him with almost all his formative education. Until he was 14 he received his schooling from governesses and private tutors. Until he entered Gorton, he never attended school, with the exception of a few weeks in of all places a German school at 9 years of age while the family was on one of their European trips. He attended Groton (Groton, Massachusetts) from 1896-1900. It was a prestigious preparatory school, and at the exclusive Groton School Franklin was permeated with a sense of social responsibility. His most lasting educational experience was at the school. When he was 18, he attended Harvard University. He was an average student at Harvard University, but FDR received a B.A. degree in history from Harvard in only three years (1900-03). His record at Harvard after that was only slightly more impressive. Thanks to his excellent preparation at Groton, he was able to complete his course of study for his B.A. in 1903, in only three years. During his fourth year he served as editor of the Crimson, the college newspaper. However, he was not accepted for Porcelain, Harvard's most influential social club, and he did not receive much stimulation in the classroom. As at Groton, his grades were mediocre, and he showed no excitement about his studies....