Franklin D. Roosevelt

FDR came from one of the oldest families in New York State and had a privileged lifestyle growing up. His political career began as a Democratic state senator for New York, a position which he resigned to accept an appointment as Assistant U.S. Secretary of the Navy in 1913. While vacationing in Canada in 1921, Roosevelt contracted polio, which permanently paralyzed him from the waist down. Nevertheless, he served as Governor of New York from 1929 to 1932 and won the 1932 presidential election. His administration helped renew the national spirit during the Great Depression and also helped end WWII. FDR had the longest presidency in history, serving three full terms. FDR died three months into his fourth term.