26th President of the United States Teddy Roosevelt is an intensely complex figure of history. He brought new excitement and power to the office, vigorously leading Congress and the American public toward progressive reforms and a strong foreign policy. He took the view that the President was a “steward of the people” and should take whatever action necessary for the public good unless expressly forbidden by the law or constitution. He lived on a ranch in the Badlands, became a conspicuous hero of the Spanish-American War, and, steering the United States more actively into world politics, liked to quote a favorite proverb: “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” He also added enormously to national forests, reserved lands for public use, and fostered great irrigation projects. While campaigning in 1912, he was shot in the chest by a fanatic. He soon recovered, but his words at that time would have been applicable at the time of his death in 1919. “No man has had a happier life than I have led; a happier life in every way.” Roosevelt is remembered for promising the average citizen fairness, breaking of trusts, regulating of railroads, and pure food and drugs. He was a man of much vigor and many talents, writing over 35 books in his lifetime, fathering the modern U.S. Navy, once chasing down armed thieves who stole a boat from his ranch and delivering a 90-minute speech after being shot in the chest, before allowing aides to take him to the hospital. Roosevelt in many ways epitomizes what we love about America: bravery, bold action, individualism, independence, and stalwart enthusiasm.

Proceeds of works sold will be donated to MercuryOne, one of Mr. Beck's non-profit organizations that includes a history museum whose library is only surpassed in volume and significance by the Library of Congress and The National Archives. MercuryOne also houses education classrooms, a large first responder team for natural disasters, two anti-human trafficking teams, The Nazerene Fund, which has freed, fed and housed over 100,000 religious minority refugees from the Middle East as well as continues funding for Operation Underground Railroad.