Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) was an American statesman, soldier, naturalist, and writer who served as the twenty-sixth President of the United States from 1901 to 1909. Before entering the presidency, Roosevelt had already achieved national recognition for his energetic public career, which included service as a New York state legislator, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and leader of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War.A prolific author as well as a political leader, Roosevelt wrote numerous books on history, politics, exploration, and the American frontier. His writings reflect his lifelong interests in public service, national character, and the natural world.The Rough Riders stands as one of his most famous works, providing a personal narrative of the military campaign that helped make him a national hero and launched his later political career.