The misunderstood asthma of Theodore Roosevelt
Subject(s): Asthma in children--Patients--Care, Asthma in children--Psychosomatic aspects, McCullough, David G., Presidents--Biography, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
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Carlos Camargo and Tweed Roosevelt examine misconceptions about Theodore Roosevelt’s childhood struggle with asthma. Camargo and Roosevelt find that Theodore Roosevelt’s asthma was not psychosomatic, and they counter the assertions made by biographer David G. McCullough that Theodore Roosevelt used asthma attacks as a way to avoid church. Camargo and Roosevelt also contend that Theodore Roosevelt’s initiation of a vigorous exercise program did not “cure” his asthma, but they note that Roosevelt believed it did. The authors recognize that Roosevelt’s belief that he had overcome his asthma by pursuing a strenuous life was beneficial to him and important to his worldview.
Six photographs of Theodore Roosevelt, two of the authors, two tables, and three illustrations populate the article.
Collection
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
Creation Date
2015
Creator(s)
Camargo, Carlos; Roosevelt, Tweed
Language
English
Period
Theodore Roosevelt and Public Memory (1919-present)
Page Count
9
Production Method
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
No permission is required from the Theodore Roosevelt Association to use items in the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal collection for educational purposes. For permissions, contact William Tilchin at (516) 921-6319 or by email at wnt@bu.edu.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
The misunderstood asthma of Theodore Roosevelt. [2015]. Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308687. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Camargo, Carlos; Roosevelt, Tweed. The misunderstood asthma of Theodore Roosevelt. [2015]. Image.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 12, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308687.
APA:
Camargo, Carlos; Roosevelt, Tweed., [2015]. The misunderstood asthma of Theodore Roosevelt.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308687.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 12, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.
APA:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.
