Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt retained throughout his life the enthusiasm of a novice, the wide-eyed wonder of a boy and the courage of a warrior. Born into a wealthy New York family of importers/exporters, Roosevelt went to private schools and to Harvard, where he was recalled as something of a callow snob. But after law school and marriage, Roosevelt moved into a political career during which he underwent a kind of transformation after seeing first-hand the poverty and desperation of New York City slum dwellers. His political career then became a sustained effort to make things "more equal," so there would be no longer disproportionate wealth at the upper end and dire poverty at the bottom.

Perhaps to compensate for his childhood infirmities, Roosevelt became an avid horseman, hunter and outdoors man. A typical day for him in the presidency might have included lunch with 40 or so members...