How Thomas Jefferson and Eleanor Roosevelt influenced the outcome of American history

Nothing can shape your life more than the drive and desire to become successful. Everyone's life has its obstacles, but if you can disregard all the unpleasant things that have happened and give it everything that you've got, you can overcome these obstacles. Thomas Jefferson and Eleanor Roosevelt are probably two of the most recognizable people in America's history. They were two legendary people who have helped pave the way for future Americans, but their roads to success were fairly different.

Thomas Jefferson and Eleanor Roosevelt were both born into prestigious, upper class families. But unlike Jefferson's parents, Roosevelt's parents would often neglect her or ridicule her. Her mother was Anna Hall, a wealthy and beautiful woman but extremely cold-hearted. Because Roosevelt didn't possess her mother's beauty and grace, her mother would deride her by calling her "granny" and "ugly duckling." Her father was Elliott Roosevelt, part of the acclaimed Roosevelt family of New York. He was an alcoholic, whose problem got out of control, and was soon banished from the Roosevelt family.

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Her self-confidence as a child and a young adult was immensely shaken by these experiences. Jefferson on the other hand, had loving and caring parents who took care of him. His father, Peter Jefferson, was a successful planter and surveyor who gained minor fame as an explorer and mapmaker. He served as a burgess and as county lieutenant. Jefferson would later hold the same offices. After the death of his father, Jefferson inherited 5,000 acres of land on which his future home, the Monticello would be built.

Through his mother, Jane Randolph, a member of one of the most famous Virginia families, Thomas was related to many of the most prominent people in the province.

Jefferson and Roosevelt had superior educations compared to other children of their time. Jefferson attended small private schools, most notably of James Maury. He completed the course from the College of William and Mary in 1762. Also during this time, he was taught mathematics and introduced to science by Dr. William Small. During 1762 to 1767, he read law with George Wythe, the greatest law teacher of his generation in Virginia. He was admitted to the bar in 1767 and practiced until 1774. At the age of 15, in 1899, Roosevelt was sent to England to attend Allenswood School, a finishing school for girls. Though her shyness and awkwardness were constant setbacks, the head of the school, Mademoiselle Marie Souvestre saw Roosevelt's true potential and took her under her wing. With the guidance of Mademoiselle Souvestre, Roosevelt soared to the top of the class and became fluent in three languages.

What is success if you don't have anyone to share it with? Jefferson and Roosevelt had two supportive and devoted life partners, who through thick and thin, stayed by their side to help share in their success. Jefferson married Martha Wayles Skelton on New Year's Day, 1772 at her plantation. Jefferson and Skelton had an immense love of music and that was one of the main factors that brought them together. Within ten years the family gained six children, with only two surviving, Martha and Mary. The physical strain of frequent pregnancies weakened Skelton so much that her husband had to shorten or even cancel his political activities to stay near her. After months of tending her devotedly, he noted in his account book for September 6, 1781, "My dear wife died this day at 11:45 A.M." Skelton died 19 years before she could see her husband triumph over John Adams to become the third president of the United States. In a memoir, he referred to spending ten years with Skelton "in unchequered happiness." Roosevelt married Franklin Delano Roosevelt on March 17, 1905. Roosevelt and her husband had six children, though one died a couple of months after his birth. Tragedy struck in the summer 1921 when Franklin Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio. Because of his newfound illness, Franklin Roosevelt believed he had no purpose in life anymore. But by reigniting his interest in politics, Roosevelt helped her husband become governor of New York and win almost 4 presidential terms. They were equal partners in political matters and in life. After his death on April 12, 1945, Roosevelt moved on with her life gradually, but despite this downfall, she would go on to earn many more achievements.

Jefferson and Roosevelt had an incredible amount of success during their lives, which left an unforgettable impact on the world. Jefferson is probably most recognized nowadays for drafting the Declaration of Independence, at 33, while a member of Congress. In the years following, he tried to make its words a reality in Virginia, most notably by writing a bill establishing religious freedom, enacted in 1786. Jefferson also accomplished many things during his presidency including slashing Army and Navy expenditures, cutting the budget, and eliminating the tax on whiskey, which reduced the national debt by one-third. Furthermore, he seized the opportunity to acquire the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon in 1803, which is commonly known as the Louisiana Purchase. Roosevelt celebrated such successes as establishing the Navy Red Cross during World War I and helping to create the Declaration of Human Rights while serving as a delegate in the United Nations. But I think she is most known these days as a strong and devoted advocate of human rights. She spent most of her life trying to help people in their everyday struggles or preaching to others about the problems of the world and how we must solve them. Jefferson and Roosevelt encountered struggles and misfortunes in their lives, but they both died as legends in the political world and the world itself. Their contributions will forever be engraved in our memories. But no matter how we think of these two luminaries, they were always just two people who overcame obstacles in their lives to accomplish their dreams.