Tadd Roosevelt

Who was Tadd Roosevelt?

James Roosevelt "Tadd" Roosevelt, Jr., was a member of the Roosevelt family and the Astor family. He was the son of diplomat James Roosevelt "Rosey" Roosevelt of the Roosevelts and Helen Schermerhorn Astor of the Astors. Tadd was also the nephew of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Colonel John Jacob "Jack" Astor IV. Tadd's sister was Helen Rebecca Roosevelt.

As children, Franklin never really cared much for Tadd, who pulled their cousin Alice Lee Roosevelt's hair. However, Franklin and Helen were friendly, and at times they did play with Tadd. Franklin and Tadd also played "Little Princess in the Tower" for a tableau after dinner.

Both Franklin and Tadd attended Groton School and Harvard University at the same time. However, Tadd quit Harvard amid scandal. He eventually moved to New York City, where he married Hungarian-born prostitute Sadie Messinger on June 14, 1900. They were married until her death.

Considered a black sheep of the Roosevelt clan, Rosey disowned Tadd, and all relations with the Roosevelt family were ended. Upon his mother's death, he inherited $1,500,000.