Theodore Roosevelt was one of the most influential people of the early 20th century. His leadership style, reforms, and personality shaped an America that was quickly becoming a global power. Theodore Roosevelt is admirably remembered for his energetic personality, the diversity of his interests and achievements, his leadership of the progressive movement, his model of masculinity, and his "cowboy" image (). He was a leader of the Republican Party and founder of the short-lived Progressive Party of 1912 (). Before becoming president, he held positions in city, state, and federal government (). Roosevelt's accomplishments as a naturalist, explorer, hunter, author, and soldier are as much a part of his fame as any office he held as a politician. His legacy endures as one of the greatest leaders in American history. Born in 1858 in New York into a wealthy family, Roosevelt was a very privileged child. However, he suffered from severe asthma which tortured him throughout his childhood. As Roosevelt grew, the number of these attacks decreased and later became virt....