Political Figure. He has been dubbed by many as "The man who created President Franklin Delano Roosevelt". They met in 1920, the beginning of a lifelong friendship. Louie Howe was the only person FDR and Eleanor shared as an intimate friend. The highly visible Howe was at the president's side for over fifteen years, acting as his campaign manager, speechwriter and advisor. Soon after Roosevelt assumed office, the fireside chats commenced. The brainchild of Howe, he compiled many of the speeches until his death. After a polio attack at age thirty-three, Louie Howe is credited with persuading FDR to continue in politics. He was portrayed by Hume Cronyn in the 1960 movie "Sunrise at Campobello," starring Ralph Bellamy and Greer Garson. (Campobello is a Canadian island where the Roosevelts had a summer cottage and where FDR suffered his first polio attack). A disheveled Louie Howe lived at the White House with the Roosevelts. Much to the chagrin of Eleanor, he slept anywhere where he happened to be sitting. She watched over him during his many bouts with illness. Always frail and ailing, he was taken to Walter Reed Hospital, where he died at the age of 64. He was transported to Oak Grove Cemetery in Fall River, Massachusetts, where after a small private graveside service attended by a grieving Eleanor and FDR, he was interred.
Political Figure. He has been dubbed by many as "The man who created President Franklin Delano Roosevelt". They met in 1920, the beginning of a lifelong friendship. Louie Howe was the only person FDR and Eleanor shared as an intimate friend. The highly visible Howe was at the president's side for over fifteen years, acting as his campaign manager, speechwriter and advisor. Soon after Roosevelt assumed office, the fireside chats commenced. The brainchild of Howe, he compiled many of the speeches until his death. After a polio attack at age thirty-three, Louie Howe is credited with persuading FDR to continue in politics. He was portrayed by Hume Cronyn in the 1960 movie "Sunrise at Campobello," starring Ralph Bellamy and Greer Garson. (Campobello is a Canadian island where the Roosevelts had a summer cottage and where FDR suffered his first polio attack). A disheveled Louie Howe lived at the White House with the Roosevelts. Much to the chagrin of Eleanor, he slept anywhere where he happened to be sitting. She watched over him during his many bouts with illness. Always frail and ailing, he was taken to Walter Reed Hospital, where he died at the age of 64. He was transported to Oak Grove Cemetery in Fall River, Massachusetts, where after a small private graveside service attended by a grieving Eleanor and FDR, he was interred.
Bio by: Paul S.
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