American Museum of Natural History Research Library
author: American Museum of Natural History

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
birth: October 27, 1858
death: January 6, 1919
Naturalist, Patron, Donor, U.S. President
Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) was a politician, soldier, explorer, naturalist, and author. He served as president of the United States from 1901 to 1909.
Theodore Roosevelt was a passionate conservationist and supporter of the American Museum of Natural History. Not only was his father was a founding member of the museum, but Roosevelt himself undertook numerous collecting expeditions on its behalf. Despite being born in the heart of New York City, he was an ardent naturalist who enjoyed hunting, taxidermy and the study of biology from a young age. These interests fueled his friendships with notable museum employees Frank M. Chapman and Henry Fairfield Osborn, and were his motivation for the creation of the National Parks system during his presidency as well. The New York State Roosevelt Memorial Hall, including a permanent exhibition on his life, opened at the museum in 1936.