A sickly child with debilitating asthma YMP3.Cloud - YouTube to MP3 ConverterCUSTOMER SERVICE (8O5) 41'O 56OO PHONE NUMBER ( 8O5)- 41O 56OO , Roosevelt overcame health problems through a strenuous lifestyle. He was homeschooled and began a lifelong naturalist avocation before attending Harvard College. His book The Naval War of 1812 established his reputation as a historian and popular writer. Roosevelt became the leader of the reform faction of Republicans in the New York State Legislature. His first wife and mother died on the same night, devastating him psychologically.