Tadd Roosevelt
Encyclopedia
James Roosevelt Roosevelt, Jr., known as "Tadd", (1879–1958) was a member of the Roosevelt family
. He was the son of James Roosevelt Roosevelt, known as "Rosey", who was the much older half-brother of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Therefore, Tadd was Franklin's nephew, although he was slightly older than Franklin). Tadd Roosevelt was a descendant of John Jacob Astor
through his mother, Helen Schermerhorn Astor. Tadd's sister was Helen Roosevelt Robinson
As children, Franklin never really cared much for Tadd, who pulled their cousin Alice Roosevelt
's hair. However, Franklin and Helen were friendly, and at times they did play with Tadd. Franklin and Tadd also played "Little Princess in the Tower" for a tableau
after dinner.
Both Franklin and Tadd attended Groton School
and Harvard University
at the same time. However, Tadd quit Harvard amid scandal. He eventually moved to New York City
, where he married Sadie Messinger, a Hungarian
-born prostitute, with whom he stayed until her death forty years later.
Considered a black sheep of the Roosevelt clan, Tadd was disowned by his father, and all relations with the Roosevelt family were ended. He never touched his inheritance from his mother's family, the Astors
, bequeathing his estate to the Salvation Army
upon his death in 1958.
Roosevelt family
In heraldry, canting arms are a visual or pictorial play on a surname, and were and still are a popular practice. It would be common to find roses, then, in arms of many Roosevelt families, even unrelated ones...
. He was the son of James Roosevelt Roosevelt, known as "Rosey", who was the much older half-brother of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Therefore, Tadd was Franklin's nephew, although he was slightly older than Franklin). Tadd Roosevelt was a descendant of John Jacob Astor
John Jacob Astor
John Jacob Astor , born Johann Jakob Astor, was a German-American business magnate and investor who was the first prominent member of the Astor family and the first multi-millionaire in the United States...
through his mother, Helen Schermerhorn Astor. Tadd's sister was Helen Roosevelt Robinson
As children, Franklin never really cared much for Tadd, who pulled their cousin Alice Roosevelt
Alice Roosevelt Longworth
Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth was the oldest child of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. She was the only child of Roosevelt and his first wife, Alice Hathaway Lee....
's hair. However, Franklin and Helen were friendly, and at times they did play with Tadd. Franklin and Tadd also played "Little Princess in the Tower" for a tableau
Tableau vivant
Tableau vivant is French for "living picture." The term describes a striking group of suitably costumed actors or artist's models, carefully posed and often theatrically lit. Throughout the duration of the display, the people shown do not speak or move...
after dinner.
Both Franklin and Tadd attended Groton School
Groton School
Groton School is a private, Episcopal, college preparatory boarding school located in Groton, Massachusetts, U.S. It enrolls approximately 375 boys and girls, from the eighth through twelfth grades...
and Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
at the same time. However, Tadd quit Harvard amid scandal. He eventually moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he married Sadie Messinger, a Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
-born prostitute, with whom he stayed until her death forty years later.
Considered a black sheep of the Roosevelt clan, Tadd was disowned by his father, and all relations with the Roosevelt family were ended. He never touched his inheritance from his mother's family, the Astors
Astor family
The Astor family is a Anglo-American business family of German descent notable for their prominence in business, society, and politics.-Founding family members:...
, bequeathing his estate to the Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
upon his death in 1958.