Roosevelt, Edith Kermit (1861-1948)

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William B. Ketcham to Jane Addams, August 18, 1912

Annotated list of names to solicit for Barnett Memorial Fellowship, January 12, 1925

List of Potential Members of the Barnett Memorial Fellowship Committee, January 15, 1925

Edith Kermit Roosevelt to Jane Addams, April 2, [1914]

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Birth Date

1861-08-06

Death Date

1948-09-30

Birthplace

Norwich, CT

Biographical Text

Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt was the second wife of Theodore Roosevelt and First Lady of the United States. She grew up in New York as a close friend of the Roosevelts, living next door and studying at the Roosevelt home. She attended Miss Comstock's finishing school. After her marriage, Roosevelt became involved in the behind-the-scenes of her husband's political work. While her husband was governor of New York, Roosevelt modernized the governor's mansion and handled Roosevelt's correspondence. She was also a member of the local woman's club. As First Lady, Roosevelt was the first to hire a full-time, salaried social secretary, Isabelle Hagner. She is also known for creating an official staff for the White House, renovating the White House, and for expanding the First Lady's role as a hostess. Roosevelt also influenced many of her husband's personal and professional affairs.

Roosevelt married Theodore Roosevelt in 1886, after the death of his Roosevelt's first wife, Alice Lee. They had five children together: Theodore III, Kermit, Ethel, Archibald, and Quentin. Edith also helped raise Roosevelt's daughter from his first marriage, Alice. Roosevelt died in 1948.