Thomas Hart Benton

Theodore Roosevelt wrote history before entering politics, publishing The Naval War of 1812 in 1882. He then served as a New York state legislator, police commissioner of New York City, and assistant secretary of the U.S. Navy before becoming Governor of New York in 1898. He became McKinley's Vice President in 1900, and President in the following year. Roosevelt was famous for his vitality and independence, whether leading a cavalry troop in the Spanish-American War or trust-busting as President. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for mediating the Russo-Japanese War (1905) and explored Africa and Brazil after leaving office.