Roosevelt, Edith (Kermit) (1861–1948)

US first lady. She was Theodore Roosevelt's second wife. She promoted a sense of harmony in the White House, using caterers for entertaining and a personal secretary to handle her correspondence. Following Roosevelt's death in 1919, she became active in charity work.

She was born in Norwich, Connecticut, and married Roosevelt in 1886. She remained a firm Republican, openly opposing Franklin Roosevelt's bid for the presidency in 1932.