Theodore Roosevelt 1858-1919, 26th president of the USA 1901-09, a Republican. After serving as governor of New York 1898-1900 he became vice president to McKinley, whom he succeeded as president on McKinley's assassination 1901. He campaigned against the great trusts (combines that reduce competition), while carrying on a jingoist foreign policy designed to enforce US supremacy over Latin America. Roosevelt, born in New York, was elected to the state legislature 1881. He was assistant secretary of the Navy 1897-98, and during the Spanish-American War 1898 commanded a volunteer force of "rough riders". At age 42, Roosevelt was the youngest man to become president of the USA. In office he became more liberal. He tackled business monopolies, initiated measures for the conservation of national resources, and introduced the Pure Food and Drug Act. He won the Nobel Peace Prize 1906 for his part in ending the Russo-Japanese war. Alienated after his retirement by the conservatism of his successor Taft, Roosevelt formed the Progressive or Bull Moose Party. As their candidate he unsuccessfully ran for the presidency 1912. During World War I he strongly advocated US intervention.