Figure 1.--This photograph is described as Mrs. Roosevelt with children. The lady does not look much like Eleanor, but we think it is her with Anna (1906-75) and the two younger boys: Framklin Jr. (1914-88) and John (1916-81). All we are sure about is that the photograph was taken August 7, 1923. The boys are done up in traditional reeer jackets, sailor suits, and knee pants. At the time most American boys wore knickers, but knickers were not as common with sailor suits as with oeher outfits, especially traditional sailor suits.

The advent of World War led to a grave personal crisis for Elenor. She learned of Franklin's affair with another woman. Franklin was Assiatant Secretary for the Navy. And went to Europe on war-time a fact finding mission. It is at this time that Eleanor learned of the affair with Lucy Mercer (September 1918). She had discovered a package of Lucy’s love letters in Franklin's luggage after his inspection trip to Europe. Eleanor's world came crashing down. She was deepoly in love weith Franlin and was crushed by the betrayal. At first she wanted a divorce. This would have ruined her husband's politicval career. We are not sure how much Franklin's affection for Eleanor entered into the picture. Sara Roosevelt, her mothrr-in-law, and Franklin convinced her not to end the marriage. Eleanor and Franklin were eventually reconciled, but the relationship was never the same. Franklin has to promise never to see Lucy again. And it apparently ended their intimate marital relationsship. The Democrats nominated for vice-president (1920). It took 44 bllots to nominate Ohio Govenor James Cox. He was a cometent Progressive reformer, but faced an electorate bent on 'a return to mormalcy'. The Toosevelt family left Washington and returned to New York (1921). Eleanor decided to build a life of her own. She became active in the League of Women Voters, the Women's Trade Union League, and the women's division of the Democratic Party. Her personal emancipation was completed after Roosevelt was stricken with polio (1921). Despit their personl issues, Eleanor was determined to keep alive her husband's interest in public affairs. She had no experience with politiucs are skill at public speaking. She was encouraged and tutored by the haecy spoking and rather crude Louis Howe, Roosevelt's close adviser, whom she had not previously approved of. With his help she became her husband's political stand-in and an effective spokesperson. She helped found a furniture factory in Hyde Park to aid the unemployed (1926). She became partowner of the Todhunter School in New York City, serving as vice principal and teaching history and government (1927). Eleanor when Franklin actively returned to the political arena as a candidate for governor of New York, she had become a public figure in her own right (1928).