Theodore Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858, in New York City. He was an American statesman, author, soldier, and naturalist who became the 26th President of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909. Roosevelt began his political career as a New York state assemblyman and later served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Governor of New York, and Vice President before becoming president after the assassination of William McKinley. He was known for his progressive policies, including trust-busting, labor reforms, and conservation of natural resources, as well as his leadership of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War. Roosevelt also promoted the construction of the Panama Canal and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for mediating the Russo-Japanese War. He remained active in politics and public life until his death on January 6, 1919.