Quick Facts
Biography
James Roosevelt "Rosy" Roosevelt (April 27, 1854 – May 7, 1927) was an American diplomat, heir, and the older half-brother of 32nd President of the United States Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Early life
James Roosevelt Roosevelt was born on April 27, 1854. He was the son of James Roosevelt I (1828–1900) and his first wife, Rebecca Brien Howland (1831–1876), who were second cousins.He was described as "an aimless if charming member of New York society's sporting set." by The New York Times. When his father died in 1900, the estate was split between Rosy and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Career
Roosevelt served as Secretary of the United States Legation in Vienna and as Secretary of the Embassy in London.
He was a trustee of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and was a close friend of Cardinal Patrick Joseph Hayes. He donated more than $250,000 to St. Francis Hospital in New York and also to gave substantial funds to the parish of St. James Episcopal Church in Hyde Park.
Personal life
On November 18, 1878, Rosy married Helen Schermerhorn Astor (1855–1893), the second daughter of businessman William Backhouse Astor Jr. (1829–1892) and socialite Caroline Webster Schermerhorn (1830–1908).Together, Roosevelt and Helen had two children:
- James Roosevelt "Tadd" Roosevelt Jr. (1879–1958), who married Sadie Messinger (c. 1880–1940)
- Helen Rebecca Roosevelt (1881–1962), who in 1904 married Theodore Douglas Robinson (1883–1934), the eldest nephew of President Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919)
After his first wife's death in 1893, Roosevelt married Elizabeth Riley on August 7, 1914.
Roosevelt died on May 7, 1927. His second wife outlived him, and died in 1948.
