The Ken Burns documentary series about Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, who played pivotal roles in shaping modern America, opens with the early years of cousins Theodore (1858-1919) and Franklin (1882-1945). Teddy was frail as a child, yet pursued a strenuous life. He experienced tragedy, too: His first wife, Alice, died days after giving birth to daughter Alice Lee in 1884. A young Franklin, meanwhile, was inspired by his cousin's political career to contemplate following in his path.