Figure 1.--Franklin (at right) is seen here with his cousins, James Roosevelt Jr. (Taddy) and Helen at their English home on one of Franklin's many trips to Europe. The boys seem to be dressed identically in sailor suits, although Taddy apperas to be wearing more of a tam than a sailor cap like Franklin.

Franklin's father loved to travel and there were many trips to Europe. They viited England, often to stay with Rosy who had a home there. Franlin would play with his cousins Tadddy and Helen. They also visited Germany where his father felt that spas were very important for his health. Franklin when he was 9 years old even attended school for a few weeks while in Germany. One of the great tragedies in FDR's life, was he died before a planned vist to England could be arranged to celebrate the victory in Europe with his war time comrade Prime Minister Churchill and the rotal family. He more than any other single individual made the victory possible that saved England and in fact all of Europe. The visit would have capped this stunning achievement. While this was not possible. His parents did bring Franklin along for many trips to Europe, both England and the Continent. Franklin learned to speak French reasonably well, but primarily due to a tutor more than his European travels. He also learned some German. The trips were part of the normal social activites of a well to do family at the time, but also because his parents thought the European spas beneficial to his father's health.

Trips

Franklin's father loved to travel and there were many trips to Europe. The trips were part of the normal social activites of a well to do family at the time, but also because his parents thought the European spas beneficial to his father's health. His parents always briught Franklin along for many trips to Europe, both England and the Continent. Franklin as a young boy was distressed when not with his parents. On one trip the vessel they were on almost sank. Franklin was still very small and when the water came in under the door demand that a toy be rescued. His mother did.

England

They visited England, often to stay with father's eldest son, James (Rosy), who had a home there. Franlin would play with his cousins Tadddy and Helen. He did not get on well with Taddy who a little older and bigger, but did like Helen. James had purchased a home in Bicester as the family spent a great deal of time there. They also had a home near Hyde Park--Springwood.

Germany

They also visited Germany where his father felt that spas were very important for his health. Their favorite spot was Bad Nauheim because of the spa there. A doctor had first recommended it in 1891 and thy would return with Franklin in tow four times. The first visit was a rather traumatic for Franklin. His nurse, Helen McRorie, was ailing and could not risk the trans-Atlantic crossing. It was the first time he had been parted frm "Mamie". It was hear that Franklin learned to swim. His father was no longer ell enough to tech him. A friend of his father's, aan Englishman Sir Cameron Gull did the teaching, presumably using the system he had learned at his Spartan boys' boarding school. A rope was tied around Franklins waist which was fastened to a pole. Franklin was then thrown in the water and told to swom. If he went under too long he would be jerked up and hen thrown in again. (Franklin was to use the same system to teach his children.) [Ward, pp. 148-149.]

German School

Franklin when he was 9 years old even attended school for a few weeks while in Germany. We note that he wore a sailor suit when he was sent to school for a few weeks in Germany. We are not sure why. His father did the same with his eldest son Rosy, for whom it was a dreadful experience. Franklin did not seem to mind. Probably it was done primarily to occupy an active boy. Franklin was sent to a Stadtschule for 6 weeks. The school principal, Christian Bommerscheim was quite impressed, or so he told Frabklin's parents, praising his "assiduous zeal". This is interesting given that Franklin although bright was generally an indifferent student. We are not sure just how he got on with the boys at the school, espcially as it was the first school he ever attended. He knew some German, but was hardly fluent. He was a year younger than his classmates. His motherinsisted on sending him off to school in a blue sailor suit. [Ward, p. 149.]

World War II Victory Celebration

One of the great tragedies in FDR's life, was he died before a planned vist to England could be arranged to celebrate the victory in Europe with his war time comrade Prime Minister Churchill and the rotal family. He more than any other single individual made the victory possible that saved England and in fact all of Europe. The visit would have capped this stunning achievement. In his final months he was considering the idea of after the War resigning as president and becoming the Secretary General of the new United Nations.

Foreign Languages

Franklin learned to speak French reasonably well, but primarily due to a tutor more than his European travels. He also learned some German.

Sources

Ward, Geoffrey. Before the Trumpet: Young Franklin Roosevelt, 1882-1905 (Harper and Row: New York, 1985), 390p.