I recently completed an enjoyable book, A First Class Temperament. This work seeks to capture the essence of Franklin Roosevelt’s personality. President Roosevelt was indeed a remarkable person. A man who suffered such debilitating paralysis that he could not walk across the room unaided by crutches and canes; nevertheless, he dominated our nation of 100 million politically for 13 years. His enemies so detested that “ man in the white house” that an amendment limiting the president to two terms was passed after his death.

 

The book begins with a surprise visit by President Roosevelt to a ninety year old retired Supreme Court justice, Oliver Holmes. This famous justice remarked after the departure of Roosevelt that he had a second rate mind but a first rate personality! Indeed, President Roosevelt despite his intellectual limitations led this nation through two traumatic crises—The Great Depression and World War II. 

 

In order to understand Franklin Roosevelt, we must go back to an earlier age. Mr. Roosevelt was part of a class White Anglo Saxon Protestant Males that dominated this nation almost since inception. The author commented that despite Franklin Roosevelt being a mediocre student, he could tell friends when he was twenty-five that he expected to be elected president and nobody laughed. His family ancestry shaped Mr. Roosevelt, for he could trace his heritage back to the Dutch settlers of the 1600’s. He grew up in a sheltered upper class home, the adored son of his parents. Because of his privileged background, Roosevelt viewed almost all of his political colleagues, particularly Democrats, in a patronizing manner. In fact, Republicans were incensed at the “traitor to his class” who instituted far- reaching New Deal Reforms to overcome the nation’s economic ills. FDR would quickly use a nickname or a first name in addressing colleagues. However, he expected to be called Mr. President. The sole exception was General George Marshall. FDR tried on George, and the later gave him such a stare from his icy blue eyes that henceforth FDR addressed George Marshall as General.

Clearly, the defining time for Roosevelt was his affliction with infantile paralysis. Until then FDR appeared to float through life, using his congenial personality and wealth to push his way up the ladder. However, his paralysis was so debilitating that it could have bedridden a person who did possess such overwhelming determination. Sadly, during that time period, the nation both psychologically and physically offered little comfort to the disabled. That is, physical therapy was in its infancy and patients received very little constructive help. FDR to return to an active political life had to create the myth of mobility. Through sure determination, while holding tightly on to the arms of his friends or sons, he would create the façade of an easy walk when in fact each step was terrifying. FDR feared that in falling flat on his face he would not only injure himself but also ruin his political aspirations.

While FDR could be both a Lion and a Fox, his efforts at Warm Springs, Georgia are most commendable. He purchased this worn-down spa and expended great sums of money to treat polio victims. Moreover, as owner-host, FDR showed an infectious optimism that brought hope to its downtrodden visitors. Guests not only enjoyed the water, but also took part in rehabilitation exercises but also picnics. FDR frequently served as the doctor examining the muscles of the patients. Interestingly enough he spent at least 30% of his time in Warm Springs after 1926 including his years as President. It is interesting that while FDR openly displayed his braces at Warm Springs, the photographers and journalists never highlighted his paralysis. There are only three surviving pictures of FDR in braces.

Lastly, it is interesting his esteem in Warm Springs versus Hyde Park, his ancestral home. FDR only carried Hyde Park several times. However, he carried Warm Springs by margins of 15-1. In part this was the Democratic legacy of the South. In part this was the affection that Southerners held for their generous guest. Unlike Eleanor, FDR never openly questioned the “peculiar institutions” of the South.