Beschreibung:

Roosevelt, Franklin D. Autograph manuscript signed ("Franklin Delano Roosevelt"), being his holograph accomplishment of the printed form "Biographical Notes for the Cyclopedia of American Biography Revision of Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography" 
2 pages (265 x 203 mm) on a bifolium, New York, 27 November 1923, Roosevelt's autograph manuscript appearing on pages 1 and 3 in response to sixteen (of nineteen) printed questions, pages 2 and 4 accomplished in pencil with further "Remarks" by Marguerite Alice "Missy" LeHand, FDR's private secretary; some light browning, marginal chips, and fold separations.
Written in the period following his landslide loss for the vice presidency—and after his contraction of polio—the present biographical questionnaire finds FDR at a crossroads as he ponders his future.
Providing his full name, Roosevelt gives his profession as “Lawyer—Surety Company,” followed by extensive genealogical information; he notes that his earliest paternal American ancestor was Claes Martenssen von Roosevelt, who landed at New Amsterdam “prior to 1639.”
His education he summarizes as “Groton School — Harvard Univ. A.B. 1904 — Columbia Univ. Law School 1904-07.” After detailing his past business positions, FDR notes that “As Asst. Secy of the Navy, was in charge of inspections of Naval Operations in Europe, on shore & at sea in 1918. In 1919 was in charge of demobilization of Navy and Marine Corps in Europe.”
In response to a question about political or civil positions held, Roosevelt responds, “State Senator (Dutchess, Columbia & Putnam Counties) 1910-1913 — Asst. Secy of the Navy 1913-20. Democratic nominee for Vice President 1920.” Among learned societies of which he is a member, he includes the Geographical Society, the American Ornithologists Union, the Naval History Society, the New-York Historical Society, and the New York State Historical Society.
Roosevelt records Anna Eleanor Roosevelt as his wife and gives the names of their five children. Two other questionnaire answers are worth special note. Despite his paralysis, FDR claims that “All outdoor recreation” is his favorite recreation or sport. And in response to the final question, “What Photographs have you, or what suggestions can you make for suitably illustrating the article?,” Roosevelt simply advises, “Any newspaper office.”
Roosevelt was cautious in not replying to questions regarding “achievements in business of professional career”; “Membership in clubs”; and “business or calling” of his wife’s father. (FDR’s father-in-law was Theodore Roosevelt’s younger brother; Elliott Roosevelt lived lavishly on his inheritance, became an alcoholic, and died of heart failure at 34, a day after attempting suicide by self-defenestration.) Missy LeHand’s pencil notes add further detail about Roosevelt’s Naval service, implying that it was pivotal in landing him on the 1920 Democrat presidential ticket. She also states that “R. believes in enforcement of law. He is a progressive democrat. …”