F. D. R.: His Personal Letters; Early Years

New York: Duell, Sloan and Pearce, 1947. First Edition [stated], presumed first printing. Hardcover. Good. Format is approximately 5.75 inches by 8.5 inches. xvi, [16 pages of illustrations, 543, [1] pages. Family tree. Illustrations. Index. Foreword by Eleanor Roosevelt. This first volume of Franklin Roosevelt's correspondence covers the period from 1887, when at the age of five he wrote his first letter, to 1904, when he graduated from Harvard. Franklin Delano Roosevelt wrote his first letter to his mother in 1887 when he was 5 years old. "Dear Sallie." he scratched with his pen, "I am very sorry you have a cold and you are in bed I played with Mary today for a little while I hope by tomorrow you will be able to be up I am glad to say my cold is better your loving Franklin D. Roosevelt." There are several references to Theodore Roosevelt in these letters, including criticism of Theodore Roosevelt's actions in settling the 1902 coal strike. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882 - April 12, 1945), often referred to by his initials FDR, was an American politician who served as the 32nd president of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945. A member of the Democratic Party, he won a record four presidential elections and became a central figure in world events during the first half of the 20th century. Roosevelt directed the federal government during most of the Great Depression, implementing his New Deal domestic agenda in response to the worst economic crisis in U.S. history. As a dominant leader of his party, he built the New Deal Coalition, which defined modern liberalism in the United States throughout the middle third of the 20th century. His third and fourth terms were dominated by World War II, which ended shortly after he died in office. Roosevelt is widely considered to be one of the most important figures in the history of the United States, as well as one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. Historians and political scientists consistently rank Roosevelt, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln as the three greatest presidents. Reflecting on Roosevelt's presidency, "which brought the United States through the Great Depression and World War II to a prosperous future", said FDR biographer Jean Edward Smith in 2007, "He lifted himself from a wheelchair to lift the nation from its knees." The rapid expansion of government programs that occurred during Roosevelt's term redefined the role of the government in the United States, and Roosevelt's advocacy of government social programs was instrumental in redefining liberalism for coming generations. Roosevelt firmly established the United States' leadership role on the world stage, with his role in shaping and financing World War II. His isolationist critics faded away, and even the Republicans joined in his overall policies. He also created a new understanding of the presidency, permanently increasing the power of the president at the expense of Congress.