Picture biography of Theodore Roosevelt by Theodore Roosevelt Association

Photographs copyright (c) 1998, Theodore Roosevelt Collection, Harvard College Library. Photos may be used for school reports with proper referencing; however, other publication or use in any medium including online is prohibited without written consent of the
Theodore Roosevelt Collection.
http://hcl.harvard.edu/houghton/departments/roosevelt.html

A photographic look at the
ROUGH RIDER YEARS AND VICE PRESIDENCY
of Theodore Roosevelt

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In 1898 TR raised a volunteer regiment which included cowboys and schoolboy (typically college athletes) as those who knew him from various times in his life joined to fight the Spanish in Cuba. On July 1, 1898, the Rough Riders would play a critical role on Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill during the battle of San Juan Heights. TR lead one charge on horseback and one charge on foot, inspiring his troops but exposing himself to enemy fire. 103 years later he would receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery that day.
In addition to loss of life in battle, the soldiers faced the rages of malaria, yellow fever and dysentery. Colonel Roosevelt was a volunteer, not regular career army, so it was he who made the plea to Washington's leaders on behalf of the men. Bring them home! His Rough Riders returned to quarantine in Camp Wikoff, Montauk, Long Island. [Aug - Sept 1898]
	The press coverage of the charismatic character "Rough Rider Roosevelt" propelled TR back into politics, now to be Governor of New York State. By now there were six children. The oldest, Alice, holds baby Quentin on her lap in this 1899 family portrait.
By 1900 a corrupt "Easy Boss" Tom Platt was anxious to get TR out of New York State and recommended him for the Vice Presidency. TR's fame from the Rough Rider days and Platt's political maneuvers easily won Roosevelt the nomination. In the prior election, William McKinley ran with running mate Garret Hobart (VP 1896). The shrubbery is dark where Hobart was replaced with Theodore Roosevelt to create the new photomontage.
Without television campaigning was very different in 1900. McKinley rarely traveled during the election campaign, that was not considered appropriate for a President, but TR was out all over the country, making speeches for the Republican ticket and meeting the public.