Edith and Kermit
Edith May 6th, 1931 three months to the day she turned 70. Kermit is in the background
During Edith’s recovery from her broken hip in 1935 she was concerned Kermit was undergoing radiation treatment to remove warts from his hands. The treatment led to his left thumb becoming cancerous. It had to be amputated at the first joint.
After the amputation Kermit began drinking heavily and taking drugs to dull the pain of his thumb and the discomfort of his recurring malarial fever he contracted in Brazil.
Kermit was still mourning the “Father - Son”relationship he lost with TR’s death. He missed his father’s advice and guidance. He told Edith that when father died the “bottom dropped out for him.”
Those who knew the family saw more similarities between Kermit and TR than any other of the children. TR said, “Kermit and I are so much alike.” The family began to think he even started to physically resemble his father as he got older.
One time Edith saw him walking up to Sagamore Hill with a cane and told Ethel, “he looked so much like Father that my heart gave a jump.” To the children TR was fun to be with, but didn’t invite closeness.
President Wilson’s aide Colonel House said Kermit was the most brilliant of all the Roosevelt children and could, if he showed interest, be president. Kermit never showed interest.
like TR his physical stamina, even in his 40s, was legendary. He was a skillful taxidermist like his dad. He spoke several languages including Swahili.
There was never any doubt Kermit was Edith’s favorite. On the occasions she saw him drunk she’d say, “I know he’s a naughty boy, but I just love him.”