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Politics & World • US President

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945), commonly known as FDR, was the 32nd president of the United States. He served from 1933 until his death in 1945, winning four elections and leading the country through the Great Depression and World War II. He is the only U.S. president to have been elected four times and his presidency is the longest in American history.

Early life and education

Roosevelt was born in Hyde Park, New York, in 1882. He studied at Harvard University and Columbia Law School before entering public life.

Presidency

Roosevelt was elected in 1932 and inaugurated in 1933. He served four terms, making him the longest-serving U.S. president and the only one elected four times.

New Deal

Roosevelt’s administration introduced the New Deal, a broad set of programs and reforms aimed at economic recovery and relief during the Great Depression. These policies significantly expanded the role of the federal government.

World War II leadership

Roosevelt’s third and fourth terms were dominated by World War II. He helped guide the United States through the conflict until his death in 1945. His leadership during World War II affected Canada through close Allied cooperation, wartime diplomacy, and North American defence planning.

Key facts

  • He was elected president four times, the only U.S. president to do so.
  • His presidency is the longest in U.S. history.
  • His early administrations focused on responding to the Great Depression.
  • His later administrations were dominated by U.S. involvement in World War II.
  • He is closely associated with the New Deal, a set of federal programs and reforms.
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Canadian context

Roosevelt’s leadership during World War II affected Canada through close Allied cooperation, wartime diplomacy, and North American defence planning.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Franklin D. Roosevelt?
Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd president of the United States and a central U.S. political leader of the 20th century.
Why is he called FDR?
FDR is a common abbreviation formed from his initials, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
How many times was he elected president?
He was elected president four times, in 1932, 1936, 1940, and 1944.
What was the New Deal?
The New Deal was Roosevelt’s program of economic relief, recovery, and reform during the Great Depression.
When did Roosevelt die?
He died on April 12, 1945, in Warm Springs, Georgia.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Franklin-D-Roosevelt
    Supports: Birth, death, presidency dates, four elections, Great Depression, World War II, New Deal
  2. White House Historical Association — https://www.whitehousehistory.org/bios/franklin-roosevelt
    Supports: Education, election to four terms, presidency dates, death
  3. Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum — https://www.fdrlibrary.org/fdr-biography
    Supports: Birthplace and family background
  4. Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum — https://www.fdrlibrary.org/fdr-presidency
    Supports: Four elections and first inauguration date
  5. Miller Center, University of Virginia — https://millercenter.org/president/fdroosevelt
    Supports: Great Depression, World War II, New Deal, presidency length