Robert Roosevelt has several claims to fame as a Dutch American. He served in the United States Congress for one term, and later was appointed to be the United States Ambassador to the Netherlands. In addition he is closely related to the two United States presidents who bore his name. In fact he was one of Theodore Roosevelt’s uncles.
Robert Roosevelt was the brother of Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. and also the great uncle to Eleanor Roosevelt. His father was Cornelius Roosevelt [1794-1871] and his mother was Margaret Barnhill [1799-1861].
Robert Roosevelt claims to have influenced his nephew, President Theodore Roosevelt, of the importance of the preservation of nature, and he personally was a conservationist and worked for the protection of waterways. It is of course history that President Roosevelt became a devoted conservationist, and many of our national parks are there because of him.
Robert Roosevelt studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1850, and commenced the practice of law in New York City. His public service began when he was appointed to be the New York State Fish Commissioner, a voluntary non-paid position, he held from 1868 to 1888. He also became interested in the Citizen’s Association in New York City, and for several years he edited the Association’s organ, the New York Citizen.
In 1870, Roosevelt decided to enter politics and ran for a seat as a Representative in the Forty-second United States Congress as a Democrat. He was successful in his quest and served in Congress form March 4, 1871 to March 3, 1873. He apparently had some difficulty with local politics and did not run for re-election. From 1879 to 1882, Roosevelt served as a trustee, representing the City of New York, on the New York and Brooklyn Bridge.
In 1888, Roosevelt was appointed by President Grover Cleveland to serve as the United States Minister, currently referred to as ambassador, to the Netherlands. He served in that position from 1888 to 1890.
During his residence in New York City, Roosevelt was instrumental in establishing professional fire and health departments in the City of New York. And in 1892, Roosevelt served as treasurer of the Democratic National Committee.
Robert Roosevelt was born in New York City on August 7, 1829. He passed away in Sayville, New York on June 14, 1906, and was interred in Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
For more detail on his Roosevelt family relationships see the appendix at the end of President Theodore Roosevelt's bio profile.
REFERENCES
Roosevelt, Robert Barnwell, http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=R000428
Robert Roosevelt, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Roosevelt
Roosevelt, Robert B., http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=12038
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