A Blog Entry About Transition

A Blog Entry About Transition So Matt got a question a few days ago requesting that we write about transition. And in one sentence, Ive completely ruined your hope of being surprised at what this entry was about and where it came from. Er.. lets start over. The other day this fabulous idea for a blog entry came from a piece of parchment lodged in the mouth of a dazzling, sparkling horse of sparkley sparkles flying through the sky, bearing the words BLOG IDEA HORSE painted on its side, but Im not actually going to tell you what it is yet. Especially not that its about transition. Okay, Im really not doing too well here. Forget that. For four years, I attended a pretty standard public high school of 2,000+, graduating class of 620, class sizes of about 20-30. There was a club for everyone, and if there wasnt you could start it we had a Science Bowl, a Spanish Club, Future Physicians of America, and a National Honor Society. (I was publicity chair of the Math Club. I spent my four years trying to think of clever ways to fit function and tensor into the club emails.) Opportunities were everywhere, especially academically. AP classes were abundant the school offered somewhere around 30 total so I took as many as I could, as if the only way to succeed in life was to properly fill out your name and your AP Java teachers name on that useless green form that your mom later insisted you save for your four-year-old cousin to study. (Seriously, Mom; isnt it a little early for Rachel to be learning about LIFO and FIFO?) AP classes are supposed to be college-level classes, if youll remember waay back to going to that first AP introductory meeting as a scrawny rolling-backpack-wielding sophomore. (That WAS a long time ago, wasnt it? Youre free to imagine me sitting in a rocking chair, spiderwebs from 4 B.C. winding around my creaking bones as I continue my tale.) AP classes ARE college classes, my AP teachers would profess grandly at those fantastically boring meetings, meetings of stale cookies and way too much paperwork. Youll have to study 10 hours a night, and dont think you can take any more classes other than my class. Youll have to carry this 80-pound textbook two miles to school and back, uphill, BOTH WAYS. And drop and give me 20 every morning. The weak will not survive here. But my class will help you transition into the world of COLLEGE! Generally speaking, though, this claim fell short, much like my AP Chem teacher. (No kidding; she was 410.) Those college-level classes had a tendency to spoon-feed you the material, rather than let you study for yourself and draw conclusions that would later help you apply it to a testing situation. Worse, some of my classes simply went through the textbook, and not how to get anything of it. And those exams were like long, drawn-out marathons, when the typical exam Ive taken thus far, at least at MIT, have been like sprints scrambling to get one last bit of partial credit before your TA comes and yanks your paper from under your massively cramped hand. By my senior year, it was pretty clear that the same type of kids were taking the same type of AP classes we were your nerds, your work-a-holics, though a lot of us still had yet to develop proper study habits. We just knew how to work the system. One guy (a friend since kindergarten) would put everything off until the night before, 20 page research papers and two weeks worth of calculus homework notwithstanding, then crank through it in a night with a bowl of goldfish crackers and Conan OBrien on in the background. (Hes now at Harvard.) Whatever works for you, works for you, right? Sadly, its not always going to be that easy, especially at MIT. Adapting my study habits was probably the hardest part of transitioning, for me, into a college environment socially, they make it pretty easy since everywhere you go is littered with free food! AP classes also have more exams per semester than classes here, as well as lots of big projects and presentations to cushion your grade, while a ty pical a freshman class will have 3 exams in a semester, so theres very little margin for error. Pass/no record is incredibly helpful. I know a lot of you are super freakin geniuses out there yeah, Im talking to you, the 12-year old tutoring AP Physics C but at MIT at least, even you will experience a time when youll have to figure out how YOU learn most effectively. Or maybe you already have, but have yet to experience doing a 37-page practice problem set of 42 problems twice because you really wanted to. Because YOU really wanted to know the material, whether or not you kicked butt on the exam. (That parts the gravy!) MIT is a hard place I can say that with confidence even after only having been here for six months, even after having been on pass/no record and taking easy freshman classes. But you might actually find yourself wanting to do the work, and it forces us nerds with crappy work ethic to sit down for several hours at a time and figure our way through our problem sets together. Even if we have to give up Conan. Maybe you came from a school of only 5 AP classes, where you were the valedictorian of everything without studying or asking for help, ever. Maybe you went to a college prep school that motivated you exactly in the way you need to be motivated, and youre more excited than scared to jump headfirst into your college education. Still, nobody really has it easy transitioning from high school to college, but the great thing about it, ESPECIALLY here at MIT, is that you get to meet so many crazy interesting people from amazingly diverse backgrounds, and you get to work with them up close. You get to complain to each other about how long youve been trying to make sense of the Hammond Postulate, or you get to explain the function of DNA topoisomerase to your course 6 roommate. You learn to ask for help yourself, and people are available and willing to give it to you. Nobody gets through it alone. I could probably write a novel about the transition from high school to college transitioning in terms of your relationship with your friends or your parents, in terms of learning the numbers for majors, in terms of FOOD but its still happening for me; Im still a freshman clawing her way through her first year, and Im learning how to deal with all these changes just as you are. If you have a particular question or topic youd like me to write about, ask! Ill even try to be subtle about it. We had a visit from the BLOG IDEA HORSE today! This ones about friendshi- aw, crap.

Thomas Hobbes And John Locke - 888 Words

The comparison of these two men is a very interesting pair. They both share ideas that are very similar but diverge in the moments that solidify their stance on their opinion. Thomas Hobbes and John Locke is both political scientist who have made strides in the area of social contracts and share being natural law theorist also. Locke and all other natural law theorists assumed that man was by nature a social animal and there fore struck contracts with each other to secure safety among them. Hobbes assumed differently, thus his verdicts are very different from other natural law theorists. Both of these philosophers have diverging ideas on why humans band together and the appropriate reasons. John Locke believed that humans are social animals and the purpose of society is for protection through group force and cooperation. The society assists all members by the division of labor and task to become the most efficient. The society bands together to help raise the children and nurture t hem to work in the society the most cooperative. Ultimately society brings the need to keep family close by and to know that one is not alone in spirit. There are other humans like themselves going through the same situation and the bonds become stronger. Humans preform social contracts with one another to achieve and grow off of one another to become more whole as a society and as a person. Locke tries to convey that in the nature men mostly kept their promises and honored their obligationsShow MoreRelatedJohn Locke And Thomas Hobbes886 Words   |  4 Pagesdiscuss the differences in political theories expressed by both John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. In, Leviathan, by Thomas Hobbes, and in, The Second Treatise of Government, by John Locke different theories of political legitimacy and definitions of the state of nature are described. The following paragraphs analyze multiple different points that are imperative to understanding these political theories. In the reading, Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes discusses what human existence is in the state of nature andRead MoreThomas Hobbes And John Locke911 Words   |  4 Pagessocial contract theory, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke established many of the founding ideals that contemporary Liberalism is based on. While the shared many similar positions, there are some key distinctions to be made between the arguments Hobbes and Locke make in Leviathan and Second Treatise of Civil Government, respectively. In this paper I will argue the differences between how each of them viewed the right of the subjects to revolt from the sovereign. Thomas Hobbes published his most famousRead MoreThomas Hobbes And John Locke Essay1441 Words   |  6 PagesEifling-Question 4 Hobbes and Locke During and after the English Revolution, a few philosophers expressed different views on their philosophical outlook and life experiences. Some of the most outstanding thinkers include Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. They had opposing views on governance matters, but the two, also, had striking similarities. In addition, the two represented an increasingly modernized European population that despised absolute kingship. Both Hobbes and Locke proposed a conceptionRead MoreJohn Locke And Thomas Hobbes1287 Words   |  6 Pagesknow how to balance and consider the nature of humankind and their rights. John Locke and Thomas Hobbes were both political philosophers who developed theories about how the government should work. They set up their theories around The Natural Law and the Social Contract Theory. Although John Locke and Thomas Hobbes had a similar goal, their beliefs and opinions were definitely not the same. John Locke and Thomas Hobbes both believed in the Natural Law and the Social Contract Theory. They both developedRead MoreThomas Hobbes And John Locke1346 Words   |  6 PagesContracts Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were two English political philosophers, who have had a lasting impact on modern political science. Thomas Hobbes and John Locke both spent much of their lives attempting to identify the best form of government. Locke and Hobbes were among the most prominent of theorists when it came to social contract and human rights. A Social Contract is an agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits. Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, are the twoRead MoreThomas Hobbes And John Locke928 Words   |  4 Pagesthere is no formed society, government, laws, safety, etc. both Thomas Hobbes and John Locke take this into perspective while introducing a political view. As illustrated by Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Karl Marx, and Friedrich Engels, they proposed political views on how human nature can prosper. Initially, Thomas Hobbes introduces a concept on the state of nature and its effects as well as how peace can be achieved. In Leviathan, Hobbes defines what living in a state of nature would be like and theRead MoreThomas Hobbes And John Locke1494 Words   |  6 Pages1) Thomas Hobbes and John Locke share the basic assumption that a theory based off of abstract individualism, consent, sovereignty and reason will produce a peaceful and productive society. This theory is the liberal political theory, which is the philosophy of individual rights and a limited government. Both Hobbes and Locke both center the majority of their ideas off of how people’s lives should be based off of nature rights instead of natural law. This being said, people are also subject to theRead MoreThomas Hobbes And John Locke1426 Words   |  6 PagesBy the second half of the 17th Century, England would experience one of the bloodiest conflicts in its history, ultimately serving to influence some of the most phenomenal political philosophers in Europe --Thomas Hobbes, and John Locke. England was in constant unrest, choosing new forms of government almost on a whim in desperate attempts to restore order in the Country. The English Civil War in 1642 etched a legacy of drea d in the people of England, and the war only appeared more disastrous andRead MoreThomas Hobbes And John Locke1659 Words   |  7 Pagesmajority. The following pages show how modern social contract theory especially that of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, grew into the divisive issue it is in contemporary political philosophy. Modern social contract theory can trace its roots to prominent thinkers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. It is their thoughts on social contracts that lie at the center of the many spheres we are a part of. For Hobbes and Locke, social contract theory sought to analyze the relationship between rulers and the ruledRead MoreThomas Hobbes And John Locke1361 Words   |  6 PagesThomas Hobbes and John Locke were two English thinkers in the seventeenth-century who s ideas became a key to the Enlightenment. Baron de Montesquieu and Voltaire were philosophers who applied the methods of science to understand and improve society. Thomas Hobbes believed in a powerful gover nment. He believed people were naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish, and if they were not strictly controlled they would commit crimes and abuse one another. He believed that life with no government would be

Renaissance Art During Eighteenth Century Italy - 902 Words

Renaissance Art in Fifteenth-Century Italy The renaissance era is the mark of the â€Å"rebirth† period. It’s the beginning of the modern world and the ending of the Middle Ages. Renaissance era means the revival of great art and literature and it began in Italy and spread into Europe between the 14th century into the 17th century, and made that transition from medieval to modern time. (Dictionary.com) Most of the towns turned into cities and businesses. Italy was forming into an urban city. A city that followed religion still and remained loyal to the churches. The churches were the center focus of architecture. The people dedicated their lives in creating magnificent architecture to the churches till they die and a family member of theirs would continue their work. The art form they used was Gothic constructions with carved decorations. Gothic art is a characterized style with a pointed arch and ribbed vault. It was used for excellent woodwork and stonework. Gothic styled art had extravagant details and realism. (Dictionary.com) Gothic art was used mostly on the churches and sculptures. Graphic art came into action during the middle of the fifteenth-century and was developed in Germany and traveled to the rest of the world. Graphic art is the art of printing, drawing and painting and engraving. It is also when you take your original art design and print it onto fabric, or plate. (Dictionary.com) During this time the printing press came as well and you could read things andShow MoreRelated Neoclassicism and the Enlightenment Essay1272 Words   |  6 PagesEnlightenment is the architectural and artistic movement of Neoclassicism. This Neoclassicism of the mid eighteenth to mid nineteenth centuries is one that valued ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan artistic ideals. These ideals, including order, symmetry, and balance, were considered by many European generations to be the highest point of artistic excellence. Although many movements in European art were largely devoid of classical characteristics, they were always looked to as sources of inspirationRead MoreRenaissance Influence On Art772 Words   |  4 PagesThe Renaissance, a time defined as the rebirth, occurred in Italy between 1350 and 1600. Spreading quickly throughout Europe, with the innovation of the printing press, it caused rippling effects. The Renaissance ultimately altered the aged education of the Dark Ages and renewed it with studies of the more classic works instead of theology. Classic art and literature grew extremely popular, contrasting the lack of interest in them before. Many artists became prominent advocates for the revival ofRead MoreWhy Do Artists Use Greco-Roman Ideals in Their Works of Art?1135 Words   |  5 PagesArt History 2 6 May, 2012 Why Do Artists Use Greco-Roman Ideals in their Works of Art? The term â€Å"history repeats itself† usually implys a negative connotation, but that was not the case in European art during the Italian Renaissance and the French Revolution. These were times when Italy and France were attempting to reinvent themselves after numerous centuries of stagnant oppression. During the Renaissance, Italians strived to surpass the intellect of the Greek, while in the French RevolutionRead MoreThe Renaissance And Romanticism During The 19th Century1245 Words   |  5 PagesThe Renaissance and Romanticism were periods of history in which literature changed the mindset of the people. The Renaissance occurred in Britain during the late fifteenth century to the early seventeenth century, and was a response to the Medieval Age. There was a spike in learning during the Renaissance, because of the invention of the printing press and the return of classical Greek and Roman literature. The Romantic period occurred during the late eighteenth century, as a response to the EnlightenmentRead MoreComparison of the Renaissance and Enlightenment.3470 Words   |  14 PagesRenaissance means rebirth or recovery, has its origins in Italy and is associated with the rebirth of antiquity or Greco-Roman civilization. The age of the Renaissance is believed to elapse over a period of about two centuries, approximately from 1350 to 1550. Above all, the Renaissance was a recovery from the Middle Ages and all the disasters associated with it: the Black Death, economic, political and social crises. For the intellectuals, it was a period of recovery from the Dark Ages; aRead MoreEssay Baroque Art in Europe and North America1408 Words   |  6 Pages Baroque Art in Europe and North America nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Throughout this research paper the topic is going to be along the lines of the Baroque Art in Europe and North America, which comes from chapter nineteen of our Art History book. The main purpose is to review major ideas and principles in this chapter by writing an analysis of certain points that were highlighted. For example, certain techniques that were used to define the Baroque Art, major sculptures, architectures, andRead MoreRomanticism Research Paper1429 Words   |  6 PagesDuring the middle of the fifteenth century, the Renaissance movement expanded from its birth place Italy to throughout most of Europe. The word Renaissance means â€Å"rebirth† and the movement was a rebirth in the art, music, architecture, science, drama, and literature of the ancient Greek and Roman classic works. Many of the famous artists, philosophers, and writers stated to allow themselves to discover and experiment new ideas, which led to the start of the humanism. I n 1660, after twenty years ofRead MorePà ©rola Barroca the Imperfect Art : Baroque Essay813 Words   |  4 Pages‘pà ©rola Barroca’ , this word means Art works of Baroque which is came from Portuguese. In English, pà ©rola Barroca means distorted pearl. Although, the name of Baroque’s origin is not uncertain, people who lived in late 17c to early 18c might named for Baroque Arts pà ©rola Barroca for its imperfection and roughness. The age of late 17c to early 18c was very chaotic and contradictory society. Absolute Monarch and Revolutions for free and right were co-existed. In most countries, Absolute Monarch wasRead MoreEssay about French Baroque 1600c.e.-1750c.e.957 Words   |  4 Pagesthe end of Counter Reformation, and as the political and cultural shifts took place, we begin to see art, particularly in France, influenced more and more, by the ruling monarchy. The transition from Mannerism into Baroque is not clear, but eventually the arts started to adopt a new look. And feel. Paintings started to become more exuberant, dynamic and ornamented. The scale of work produced during this time increased dramatically. Where Mannerism marked a departure from classical and realistic normsRead MoreThe Expression Of The Arts1655 Words   |  7 Pages The Expression of the Arts The Allegory of Music a painting by Laurent de la Hyre, a French painter from Paris that was born in 1606 and died in 1656 in Paris. He painted the Allegory of Music in 1649 when he was about 43 years of age. La Hyre painted this painting from oil on canvas and made the size of the painting approximately 41 5/8 x 56 3/4 in, we can observe that the amount of detail La Hyre add to his painting, he went from darks to lights. This

Advertising Cannot Make Worse Appear the Better but Worsn! Free Essays

(Pop culture) The philsopher Geroge Santayana wrote ‘Advertising is the modern substitue for argument; its function is to make the worse appear the better. ’ I disagree with it. Advertising is a multi-billion-dollar-a-year industry and advertisements are found everywhere today-in newspapers, online, on billboards, in magazines and even in school newsletters. We will write a custom essay sample on Advertising Cannot Make Worse Appear the Better but Worsn! or any similar topic only for you Order Now They appear on the back of recepits, on taxis and on buses, and in MTR stations. The purpose of advertisements is to promote the prodeucts or services they showcase. Then the advertisers will use different strategies and selling points such as slogans, work through suggestion and exaggeration to attract viewers. Therefore, advertising nowadays is quite a debatable topic because there are many pros and cons. However, it is really make the worse appear the better? No, it isn’t. Advertising has distorted customers view towards a product or service. For example, some beauty products are exaggerated through advertising when in fact they don’t really work. Some slimming products and services have the same problem too. The slimming models appear super fit when they are actually not in person. The advertising company may make use of the computer technologies to adjust the fatness that shown on the advertisements. Besides, this slimming products may even result some side effects such as thirsty, a rapid heartbeat, slower metabolism, poor spirit and easy to get sick. As a result, its function is not make the worse appear the better but in fact the advertised products or services may hurt you. Apart from this, advertising makes the better appear the better on the surface only but not inner. Many skin-care products like face mask and moisturizing cream advertising attract women to buy them. Although they may have a more beautiful appearance after using these products, they have litter inner beauty. For instance, a lady has a beautiful appearance like a fairy. However, she has a vicious heart and fired by her bosses in many times. Therefore, it is why we say that ‘do not judge a people by externals’ because this people are shallow and ugly. In this century, it is not all strange to see fashionable celebrities in advertisements presenting how cool and glamorous it is. Such brainwashing effect will certainly encourage teens to follow suit. Actually, the original idea of fashion is good because it encouages innovation and the youngers have more choices and becomes more charming. However, with the enormous quantity of advertisements of new products, the young are just fashion seekers. They will try every means to buy whatever new products advertised on television they think are in the fashion, such as new types of mobile phones, clothes of a new style,ect. , discarding with no hesitation the ones in service although these are not old and work perfectly. Moreover, they don’t care the prices at all and sqandering like a billionarie. Then they may overburden with debts when they have credit abuse. In conclusion, it seems that advertising cannot make worse appear the better but worsn! How to cite Advertising Cannot Make Worse Appear the Better but Worsn!, Papers

Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 free essay sample

Signed by President Roosevelt on May 18,1993. , it was created as a federal corporation to provide assistance in navigation, flood control, electricity generation, fertilizer manufacturing, and economic development in the Tennessee valley region right after the Great Depression. Not only did it tackle important problems like the ones listed above but also it was set to improve the travel on the Tennessee River and to help grow the region’s business and farming. The Tennessee Valley Authority Act was not only a provider but as well as a regional development agency that would use the federal and electricity to rapidly grow and create a modern economy and society to the region. It was the first time that an agency was set out to address the total resource need of major region in America. It was set to take on the unified development problems by devastating floods, a deficient economy, and steady out-migration. We will write a custom essay sample on Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It also began to oversee the construction of dams and create cheap power in the area. Modernizing the Region The TVA was originally designed to modernize the area. It used experts to combat the problems such as human and economic. It developed fertilizers and taught many other farmers how to improve their crop fields and how to reforest, control forest fires, as well as improve habitat for the wildlife. Yet, the most dramatic change in the valley was due to the electricity. Modern home appliances and electric lights made the life of the people in the Tennessee valley easier and more productive. Electricity drew many factories in the region which proved many jobs. It also revived the area ruined by rural Americans by building dams which in return gave out cheap electricity. [pic] TVA’s Board Members. [pic] Douglas Dam [pic] TVA Towers. Knoxville, TN Employment The people that were unemployed were later hired for the conservation and economic development such as the library that operated many of the surrounding region. The headquarters were made up of experts from the around the country. Back in the day, the people hired were arranged in the racial and gender categories of the time. They did hire African-Americans for the janitorial positions. The Tennessee Valley Act also recognized the unions in the labor. The skilled and highly trained employees were put together, it was a breakthrough in history because the area was know to be hostile to minors’ and textile unions. Although the women were excluded from the construction work, the cheap electricity attracted mills that hired only women. Today’s TVA Today’s Tennessee Valley Authority Act is the largest power company in the United States. As well as running the fifth largest river system in the country all in order to control the flooding and make the rivers much easier to cross and travel. It also creates recreation for the people of the region and protects the water quality. It is estimated that the Tennessee Valley serves around 80,000 square miles in the southeastern United States. This area includes multiple states other than Tennessee. They include, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia. Today they have eleven coal-fired plants, twenty-nine hydroelectric dams, a pumped storage plant, two nuclear plants, and four combustion-turbine installations. In total, the facalities provide over 27,000 megawatts of energy. It provides electricity to power 160 local and munipal power distributers of about 18,000 miles of lines.

Dream Analysis essays

Dream Analysis essays I chose this topic mainly due to how much the subject intrigues me. I usually am a person who searches for an answer that is correct and definite. This subject, on the other hand, has no correct answer. Instead, it has different hypotheses in which the reader can either believe or distrust; I have made my own educated guess about dreams. Within this paper includes many details pertaining on dreaming and some theories that I have found to be most captivating. Why do animals dream? Are the reams instructions from the spiritual world or just deep, hidden wishes that can be used to unlock the secrets of the unconscious mind? Nobody knows for sure, but one theory that I found is prevalent is that dreams result from the physiological "exercise" or the synapses of the brain. There is no proven research that can declare why mammals dream, which is the reason as to why there are so many theories on the topic. Some theories that I read have evolved from such famous doctors as Sigmund Freud. The theories involved are mind boggling, but if read carefully, can put anyone into deep thought as to a logical reason for their dreams. This process of thinking is called interpreting or analyzing. From such famous psychiatrists like Sigmund Freud and his theory that dreams carry our hidden desires, while Jung believes that dreams carry a detailed meaning. Although not specifically of desire, but that the dreamer can use cautious steps as to interpret these dreams. After these ancient theories, others continued such research like Cayce. He states that in dreams are our bodys means of building up of the mental, spiritual and physical well-being. One interesting argument came between Evans', Crick and Mitchinson theories. Evans believes that dreaming is our bodies way of storing the vast array of information gained during the day, whereas Crick and Mitchinson believe that this information is being dumped rather than stored. Whichever theory...

Biography of Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady, UN Delegate

Biography of Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady, UN Delegate Eleanor Roosevelt (October 11, 1884–November 7, 1962) was one of the most respected and beloved women of the 20th century. When her husband became president of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt transformed the role of first lady by taking an active role in the work of her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt. After Franklin’s death, Eleanor Roosevelt was appointed as a delegate to the newly formed United Nations, where she helped create the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Fast Facts: Eleanor Roosevelt Known For: First Lady to President Franklin Roosevelt, writer, and diplomatBorn:  October 11, 1884 in New York CityParents: Elliott and Anna Hall RooseveltDied: November 7, 1962 in New York CityEducation: Allenswood SchoolPublished Works: You Learn by Living, The Moral Basis of Democracy, Tomorrow is Now, This I Remember, This is My Story, This Troubled World, many othersSpouse: Franklin Delano Roosevelt (m. 1905–1945)Children: Anna Eleanor (1906–1975), James (1907–1991), Franklin Delano, Jr. (1909), Elliott (1910–1990), Franklin, Jr. (1914–1988) and John (1916–1981).Notable Quote: In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility. Eleanor Roosevelt with Father and Brothers. Bettmann/Getty Images Early Life Eleanor Roosevelt, born Anna Eleanor Roosevelt in New York City on October 11, 1884, was the eldest of three children of Elliot Roosevelt, the younger brother of Theodore Roosevelt, and Anna Hall Roosevelt. Despite being born into one of the â€Å"400 Families,† the richest and most influential families in New York, Eleanor Roosevelt’s childhood was not a happy one. Eleanor’s mother Anna was considered a great beauty while Eleanor herself was not, a fact that Eleanor knew greatly disappointed her mother. On the other hand, Eleanor’s father Elliott doted on her and called her â€Å"Little Nell,† after the character in Charles Dickens’ The Old Curiosity Shop. Unfortunately, Elliott suffered from a growing addiction to alcohol and drugs, which ultimately destroyed his family. In 1890 when Eleanor was about 6 years old, Elliott separated from his family and began receiving treatments in Europe for his alcoholism. At the behest of his brother Theodore Roosevelt (who later became the 26th president of the United States), Elliott was exiled from his family until he could free himself from his addictions. Anna, missing her husband, did her best to take care of Eleanor and her two younger sons, Elliott Jr., and baby Hall. Then tragedy struck. In 1892, Anna went to the hospital for a surgery and afterward contracted diphtheria; she died soon after when Eleanor was 8 years old. Just months later, Eleanor’s two brothers came down with scarlet fever. Baby Hall survived, but 4-year-old Elliott Jr. developed diphtheria and died in 1893. With the deaths of her mother and young brother, Eleanor hoped she would be able to spend more time with her beloved father. Not so. Elliott’s dependency on drugs and alcohol got worse after the deaths of his wife and child, and in 1894 he died. Within 18 months, Eleanor had lost her mother, brother, and father. She was a 10-year-old orphan. Eleanor and her brother Hall went to live with their very strict maternal grandmother Mary Hall in Manhattan. Eleanor spent several miserable years with her grandmother until she was sent abroad in September 1899 to Allenswood School in London. Education Allenswood, a finishing school for girls, provided the environment 15-year-old Eleanor Roosevelt needed to blossom. While she was always disappointed by her own looks, she had a quick mind and was soon picked as a â€Å"favorite† of the headmistress, Marie Souvestre. Although most girls spent four years at Allenswood, Eleanor was called home to New York after her third year for her â€Å"society debut,† which all wealthy young women were expected to make at age 18. Unlike her wealthy peers, however, Eleanor did not look forward to leaving her beloved school for an endless round of parties she found meaningless. Meeting Franklin Roosevelt Despite her misgivings, Eleanor returned to New York for her society debut. The entire process proved tedious and bothersome and made her once again feel self-conscious about her looks. There was, however, a bright side at her coming home from Allenswood. While riding on a train, she had a chance encounter in 1902 with Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Franklin was a fifth cousin once removed of Eleanor’s and the only child of James Roosevelt and Sara Delano Roosevelt. Franklin’s mother doted on him- a fact that would later cause strife in Franklin and Eleanor’s marriage. Franklin and Eleanor saw each other frequently at parties and social engagements. Then, in 1903, Franklin asked Eleanor to marry him and she accepted. However, when Sara Roosevelt was told the news, she thought the couple was too young to marry (Eleanor was 19 and Franklin was 21). Sara then asked them to keep their engagement a secret for one year. Franklin and Eleanor agreed to do so. During this time, Eleanor was an active member of the Junior League, an organization for wealthy young ladies to do charitable work. Eleanor taught classes for the poor who lived in tenement houses and investigated the horrible working conditions many young women experienced. Her work with poor and needy families taught her a great deal about the hardships many Americans faced, leading to a life-long passion for trying to solve society’s ills. New York Governor Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt. Historical/Getty Images Married Life With their year of secrecy behind them, Franklin and Eleanor publicly announced their engagement and then married on March 17, 1905. As a Christmas present that year, Sara Roosevelt decided to build adjoining townhouses for herself and Franklin’s family. Unfortunately, Eleanor left all the planning up to her mother-in-law and Franklin and thus was very unhappy with her new home. Plus, Sara would frequently stop by unannounced since she could easily enter by going through a sliding door that joined the two townhouses’ dining rooms. While being somewhat dominated by her mother-in-law, Eleanor spent between 1906 and 1916 having babies. In total, the couple had six children; however, the third, Franklin Jr., died in infancy. In the meantime, Franklin had entered politics. He had dreams of following his cousin Theodore Roosevelt’s path to the White House. In 1910, Franklin Roosevelt ran for and won a State Senate seat in New York. Just three years later, Franklin was appointed assistant secretary of the navy in 1913. Although Eleanor was disinterested in politics, her husband’s new positions moved her out of the adjoined townhouse and thus out of the shadow of her mother-in-law. With an increasingly busy social schedule due to Franklin’s new political responsibilities, Eleanor hired a personal secretary named Lucy Mercy to help her stay organized. Eleanor was shocked when, in 1918, she discovered that Franklin was having an affair with Lucy. Although Franklin swore he would end the affair, the discovery left Eleanor depressed and dejected for many years. Eleanor never truly forgave Franklin for his indiscretion and although their marriage continued, it was never the same. From that point forward, their marriage lacked intimacy and began to be more of a partnership. Polio and the White House In 1920, Franklin D. Roosevelt was chosen as the Democratic vice presidential nominee, running with James Cox. Although they lost the election, the experience had given Franklin a taste for politics at the top level of government and he continued to aim high- until 1921 when polio struck. Polio, a common disease in the early 20th century, could kill its victims or leave them permanently disabled. Franklin Roosevelt’s bout with polio left him without the use of his legs. Although Franklin’s mother Sara insisted that his disability was the end of his public life, Eleanor disagreed. It was the first time Eleanor had openly defied her mother-in-law and it was a turning point in her relationship with both Sara and Franklin. Instead, Eleanor Roosevelt took an active role in helping her husband, becoming his â€Å"eyes and ears† in politics and assisting with his attempts to recover. (Although he tried for seven years to regain the use of his legs, Franklin finally accepted that he would not walk again.) Franklin reentered the political spotlight in 1928 when he ran for governor of New York, a position he won. In 1932, he ran for president against incumbent Herbert Hoover. Public opinion of Hoover had been decimated by the 1929 stock market crash and the Great Depression that followed, leading to a presidential victory for Franklin in the 1932 election. Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt moved into the White House in 1933. Eleanor Roosevelt gets Worlds Greatest Volunteer citation from Jacques Coe, Treasurer of the National Cancer Foundation. Bettmann/Getty Images A Life of Public Service Eleanor Roosevelt was not overjoyed to become the first lady. In many ways, she had created an independent life for herself in New York and dreaded leaving it behind. Most especially, Eleanor was going to miss teaching at the Todhunter School, a finishing school for girls she had helped purchase in 1926. Becoming first lady took her away from such projects. Nevertheless, Eleanor saw in her new position the opportunity to benefit disadvantaged people nationwide and she seized it, transforming the role of the first lady in the process. Before Franklin Delano Roosevelt took office, the first lady generally played an ornamental role, mainly one of a gracious hostess. Eleanor, on the other hand, not only became a champion of many causes but continued to be an active participant in her husband’s political plans. Since Franklin could not walk and did not want the public to know it, Eleanor did much of the traveling he could not do. She would send back regular memos about the people she talked to and the sorts of help they needed as the Great Depression worsened. Eleanor also made many trips, speeches, and other acts to support disadvantaged groups, including women, racial minorities, the homeless, tenant farmers, and others. She hosted regular Sunday â€Å"egg scrambles,† in which she invited people from all walks of life to the White House for a scrambled-egg brunch and a talk about the problems they faced and what support they needed to overcome them. In 1936, Eleanor Roosevelt began writing a newspaper column called â€Å"My Day,† on the recommendation of her friend, newspaper reporter Lorena Hickok. Her columns touched on a wide range of often-controversial topics, including the rights of women and minorities and the creation of the United Nations. She wrote a column six days a week until 1962, missing only four days when her husband died in 1945. Reg Speller  / Getty Images The Country Goes to War Franklin Roosevelt won reelection in 1936 and again in 1940, becoming the first- and only- U.S. president to serve more than two terms. In 1940, Eleanor Roosevelt became the first woman ever to address a national presidential convention when she gave a speech to the Democratic National Convention on July 17, 1940. On December 7, 1941, Japanese bomber planes attacked the naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Within the next few days, the U.S. declared war on Japan and Germany, officially bringing the U.S. into World War II. Franklin Roosevelt’s administration immediately began enlisting private companies to make tanks, guns, and other necessary equipment. In 1942, 80,000 U.S. troops were sent to Europe, the first of many waves of soldiers that would go overseas in the coming years. With so many men fighting the war, women were pulled out of their homes and into factories, where they made war materials, ranging from fighter planes and parachutes to canned food and bandages. Eleanor Roosevelt saw in this mobilization the opportunity to fight for the rights of working women. She argued that every American should have the right to employment if they wanted it. She also fought against racial discrimination in the workforce, the armed forces, and at home, arguing that African-Americans and other racial minorities should be given equal pay, equal work, and equal rights. Although she vehemently opposed putting Japanese-Americans in internment camps during the war, her husband’s administration did so anyway. During World War II, Eleanor also traveled all over the world, visiting soldiers stationed in Europe, the South Pacific, and other far-flung places. The Secret Service gave her the code name â€Å"Rover,† but the public called her â€Å"Everywhere Eleanor† because they never knew where she might turn up. She was also called â€Å"Public Energy Number One† due to her intense commitment to human rights and the war effort. First Lady of the World Franklin Roosevelt ran for and won a fourth term in office in 1944, but his remaining time in the White House was limited. On April 12, 1945, he passed away at his home in Warm Springs, Georgia. At the time of Franklin’s death, Eleanor announced she would withdraw from public life and when a reporter asked about her career, she said it had ended. However, when President Harry Truman asked Eleanor to become Americas first delegate to the United Nations in December 1945, she accepted. As an American and a woman, Eleanor Roosevelt felt that being the U.N. delegate was a huge responsibility. She spent her days before the U.N. meetings researching issues of world politics. She was particularly concerned with failing as a U.N. delegate, not only for herself but because her failure might reflect badly on all women. Rather than being seen as a failure, most regarded Eleanor’s work with the United Nations as a resounding success. Her crowning achievement was when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which she had helped draft, was ratified by 48 nations in 1948. Back in the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt continued to champion civil rights. She joined the board of the NAACP in 1945, and in 1959 she became a lecturer on politics and human rights at Brandeis University. Death and Legacy Eleanor Roosevelt was getting older but she didn’t slow down; if anything, she was busier than ever. While always making time for her friends and family, she also spent a lot of time traveling around the world for one important cause or another. She flew to India, Israel, Russia, Japan, Turkey, the Philippines, Switzerland, Poland, Thailand, and many other countries. Eleanor Roosevelt had become a goodwill ambassador around the world; a woman people respected, admired, and loved. She had truly become the â€Å"First Lady of the World,† as U.S. President Harry Truman once called her. And then one day her body told her she needed to slow down. After visiting a hospital and undergoing lots of tests, it was discovered in 1962 that Eleanor Roosevelt was suffering from aplastic anemia and tuberculosis. On November 7, 1962, Eleanor Roosevelt died at age 78. She was buried next to her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt, in Hyde Park. Sources Eleanor Roosevelt Biography. Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. National Archives 2016. Web.Cook, Blanche Wiesen. Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume 1: The Early Years, 1884–1933. New York: Random House, 1993.Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume 2: The Defining Years, 1933–1938. New York: Random House, 2000.Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume 3: The War Years And After, 1939–1962. New York: Random House, 2016.Harris, Cynthia M. Eleanor Roosevelt: A Biography. Greenwood Biographies. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 2007.Roosevelt, Eleanor. The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt. HarperCollins.Winfield, Betty Houchin. The Legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt. Presidential Studies Quarterly 20.4 (1990): 699-706.