Robert Roosevelt | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 4th district |
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In office March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1873 |
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Preceded by | John Fox |
Succeeded by | Archibald M. Bliss |
Personal details | |
Born |
Robert Barnhill Roosevelt August 7, 1829 New York City, New York |
Died | June 14, 1906 Sayville, New York |
(aged 76)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Ellis Marion Theresa O'Shea |
Relations | See Roosevelt family |
Children |
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Parents |
Cornelius Van Schaack Roosevelt Margaret Barnhill |
Occupation | politician |
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Robert Barnhill Roosevelt, also known as Robert Barnwell Roosevelt (August 7, 1829 – June 14, 1906), was a sportsman, author, and politician who served as a United States Representative from New York (1871–1873) and as Minister to the Hague (1888–1889).
Robert Roosevelt was born in New York City to businessman Cornelius Van Schaack "C.V.S." Roosevelt (1794–1871) and Margaret Barnhill (1799–1861). He had three elder brothers, Silas, James, and Cornelius Jr., and two younger brothers, Theodore and William. He was an uncle of President Theodore "T.R." Roosevelt, Jr. and great-uncle of First Lady Anna Eleanor Roosevelt. As an Oyster Bay Roosevelt, and through his ancestor Cornelius Van Schaack, Jr., he was a descendant of the Dutch American Schuyler family.
After the death of his first wife Elizabeth Ellis, he married his mistress, Irish immigrant Marion Theresa "Minnie" O'Shea. Although his children with Minnie were his biological children, they had been born prior to his wedding to Minnie and were known as his stepchildren. They had been listed as having a father named "Robert Francis Fortescue", and maintained the Fortescue name throughout their lives.
Children with Elizabeth:
Children with Minnie:
Roosevelt studied law and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1850. He commenced practice in New York City. During the Civil War he was an active Democrat, and a founder of the Allotment Commission and the Loyal National League.
His first experience in politics was in the organization of the Citizens' Association at the time of the Tweed Ring administration in New York city. For several years, he edited the organ of the Citizens' Association, the New York Citizen, at first with Charles G. Halpine, and after Halpine's death by himself. He was a founder of the Committee of Seventy, and first vice-president of the Reform Club.