Closest Companion: The Unknown Story of the Intimate Relationship Between Franklin Roosevelt and Margaret Suckley

by Geoffrey C. Ward (Editor)

The author draws on the recently discovered letters and diaries of FDR's sixth cousin, Margaret Lynch Suckley, one of the president's closest confidantes in the last decade of his life, to construct an illuminating account of the private Franklin Roosevelt.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Presidents, Biography Memoir, Womens, American History

444 pages, Hardcover

First published April 12, 1995

About the author

Geoffrey Champion Ward is an author and screenwriter of various documentary presentations of American history. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1962.

He was an editor of American Heritage magazine early in his career. He wrote the television mini-series The Civil War with its director Ken Burns and has collaborated with Burns on every documentary he has made since, including Jazz and Baseball. This work won him five Emmy Awards. The most recent Burns/Ward collaboration, The War, premiered on PBS in September 2007. In addition he co-wrote The West, of which Ken Burns was an executive producer, with fellow historian Dayton Duncan.

Reviews

[Susan Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to the life of Margaret (Daisy) Suckley, known primarily for her friendship with FDR. Daisy was a remarkable observer of the life around her. Ward's selection from her diaries and letters (exchanged with FDR) gives us a glimpse into her outer and inner life. But just a glimpse--wish there were more!

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am admittedly enamored with stories of FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt. I've read many of the books, seen many of the movies - most recently Hyde Park on Hudson - and find them all interesting. Closest Companion is the book that inspired the movie Hyde Park on Hudson, and it provides a new perspective on FDR and to a small extent, Eleanor. I think the book could have been titled CLOSE Companion because it was made clear that other people like Laura Delano, Lucy Rutherfurd and the Crown Princess of Norway were also close and important companions in FDR's last years. But Margaret (Daisy) Suckley's contribution to the story were her personal writings of 1933 to 1945 which detailed not only her own activities but focused intensely on FDR and those in his sphere. Though they apparently had some kind of intimate contact in the 1930s, the relationship seemed to have evolved to a place where FDR felt so comfortable in Daisy's presence that she was present and spent personal time with him at the White House, his Hyde Park homes, Warm Springs, and even on a long presidential inspection trip. I enjoyed reading all the details of their daily lives but I think the highlights for me were the 30+ letters of FDR to Daisy that survive, documenting a close, trusting and affectionate friendship. Geoffrey Ward's bracketed contributions explaining some of the references in the letters were welcome and illuminating. I think anyone who is interested in small details of American life at this time period in American history and is also curious about the Roosevelts' daily life during his presidency would learn a lot and enjoy this book.

[Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret Suckley was an odd witness to history, but in the end she saw, preserved and recorded enough for several lifetimes. She was the unmarried representative of an old established family in the Hudson River with tenuous connections to Franklin Roosevelt. She had conventional tastes, interests (gardening, dog breeding, local history), and prejudices. She lived into her 90s and then it was discovered that she had retained a series of letters and diaries that recorded her friendship with FDR.

Margaret was not an outsized personality. In the early days of her relationship with FDR, some people were not even sure who she was. Roosevelt wrote of his fishing trips and foreign travel. Then with the death of his mother and Missy LeHand's incapacitation, she moved to the center of FDR's life. While his relationship with Eleanor was probably always stimulating, Roosevelt needed around him women who would place him at the center of their lives. Such was Margaret Suckley's attraction.

This adoring friendship that placed Suckley at the center of the great events did not really occur until 1940. Given the conventions that both she and FDR adhered to, it was somewhat difficult at first for them to meet. Excuses were necessary. This is reflected in the content of the letters. Roosevelt only really began to share epistolary confidences with Margaret when he gleefully recounts his journey to meet Churchill in Newfoundland to create the grand alliance. Margaret's position at the Franklin Roosevelt Presidential Library also provided a pretext for more frequent meetings. It was suspect for a man and woman to meet unless there was a more substantial reason. Incidentally, Suckley's insights were a positive boon to historians, both her understanding of Roosevelt's shared family history and her friendship with the people around him.

This book not only provides an understanding into FDR, but it is replete with interesting anecdotes. Margaret gave Fala, the president's dog to her cousin (dog breeding was one of her interests). There is a rather funny story about Madame Chiang Kai Shek's visit to the presidential library. Suckley also provides insight to the reader into the ways and prejudices of her time. The new rich, Asians, immigrant groups that arrived in the US from Eastern or Southern Europe are not necessarily viewed in quite the same way as Margaret viewed her circle of polite WASPs. Even lesser royalties can fail to hold up time honored standards.

This is a fabulous work of scholarship, providing an intimate look at the 32nd president not usually available. While it does not provide the policy insights of Harold Ickes' famous diary or Grace Tulley's memoirs with its details about serving the president, it shows Roosevelt at his most unguarded, a lover of picnics, good, but plain food, mystery stories, and readings from Kipling. Geoffrey Ward is to be commended for discovering and editing this collection.

[ShareStories · Rating 2 out of 5]

Closest Companion is a series of letters and diary entries tracing the relationship between Franklin Roosevelt and his distant cousin Margaret Suckley. Most of the letters, and all of the diary entries are written by Suckley from 1933 to FDR's death in 1945.

The question is asked by Geoffrey C. Ward, the editor of the book, whether Suckley intended for her letters and diary to be published. I do think she intended them to be read, and possibly, published, because she edited some of FDRs letters ("heavily" according to Ward) and destroyed others. She also edited her own diary(crossing out passages near the end of FDR's life she thought were too "personal").

So, while this collection is somewhat enlightening, I can't help but wonder what it would have been had she not edited out so many things.

Another thing that struck me as I was reading was how often Suckley included stereotypes of just about every ethnic group you can think of. Anyone she met was judged according to their ethnicity and their appearance which was, needless to say, off-putting.

All in all it was an interesting, if limited, foray into the world of FDR's time in the White House.

[Carol Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review has taken a little more time to write. At the start of the book I thought, oh Franklin, you and your adoring females. But Margaret Suckley turned out to be more than "another female". Yes, she did adore FDR, but she came along when Eleanor had more or less moved out of the White House. Who would have guessed that a President involved in WWII, could be lonely. Even after reading copious books on FDR, I never really picked that up. Yes, this "diary" was comprised by a woman who saw no wrong in FDR, but as you read along you understand her devotion. She had a reason to live, and that time with FDR was precious to her. After FDR's death she did not just move on. She dedicated her time and energy to his Presidential Library. I look forward to visiting that library this fall. Good on you Margaret Suckley.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret Suckley was such a sweet woman. Her diaries and letters offer a unique glimpse into the private life of FDR. Geoffrey Ward's gentle editing allows the book to read like fiction, but each entry is full of history. My heart broke for her when she lost FDR and I was happy when she said she would go on, just like he would want her to.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a tender book. Enlarged my understanding of the great FDR. Excellent if you love to read about FDR.

[Jim Sargent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geoffrey Ward's editing of the diaries and letters of Daisy Suckley is a .book long overdue. Suckley (rhymes with book-ly) was Franklin Roosevelt's fifth cousin, longtime friend from upstate New York, and one of the archivists for his presidential library. FDR has been the subject of many biographies and an integral part of many histories of the New Deal and World War II, but his personality and personal life have never been made too clear. A complex person of many abilities, facets, and moods, Roosevelt dominated his world and appeared to be all things to many people, including the widely popular 32nd President of United States. He was the patron of important causes ranging from civilian conservation to old age pensions to rural electrification to exercises for treating polio patients, and more. His was the voice and presence loved by millions. Behind-the-scenes, he had few confidantes, but Daisy Suckley became an important companion who adored him, listened to what he said, and recorded much of it. His off-the-record remarks do reveal Roosevelt at rest when few associates could know him. Thanks to Ward's Closest Companion, the records Daisy kept will shed more light on the most important leader of his era.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his acknowledgements to this collection of letters and journals, editor Geoffrey Ward says:

"I want to thank the manuscript editor, Frances Apr, for the special pains she took to ensure that Daisy's authentic voice would be preserved for readers who never got the chance to know her. 'I just like her so much,' she told me as the manuscript went off to the printer.'
So do I."

That encapsulates the pleasure of this book. Daisy Suckley is a sweet woman-- in her 50s when she wrote her journal of days spent in FDR's library and White House, but sounding like a young girl with a very serious crush. Endlessly admiring of "the P," protective of his health, and grateful for the fact that she had a small role to play in his life. (She even loves his little dog Fala.)

For history buffs, it's a genuinely up-close-and-personal view of the White House during World War II. Yes, you may read more than your fill of entries about blood-pressure readings and gruel, but it just goes to show that even the biggest lives have their share of minutiae. And these minutiae were recorded by a loyal and loving heart. You just like her so much.

[Richard Walden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone with any interest in Frankilin Delano Roosevelt will treasure this book. Daisy Suckley was a distant cousin of FDR. When he was struck down by polio and spending the first months at Hyde Park, Daisy lived just up the road in Rhinecliff. A single woman of early middle age, her family struggled to maintain their rather grand Queen Anne home, Wilderstein. Sara Delano Roosevelt asked Daisy to come over and provide company for her stricken son. She and Franklin hit it off immediately and established a deep friendship until FDR's death, at which she was present. There is no doubt that Daisy adored Franklin. She often accompanied him on his travels and their correspondence was constant and voluminous, and it is recorded here along with excerpts from Daisy's diaries, and gracefully edited and annotated by Geoffrey Ward. A fascinating read; Daisy was quite a character and became acquainted with almost all of FDR's friends and many of the prominent personages of the era.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not so much a book by Geoffrey Ward as it is the collection of story of a beautiful friendship between Franklin Roosevelt and Daisey Suckley. Told through letters and diaries, this book contains an eyewitness account of key events in our Nations history told through the personal and in some cases highly confidential contemporaneous notes between these two close friends and confidants. In a sense, this is a love story but it is also a chronological source document showing what was happening behind the scenes throughout the entire Roosevelt presidency. Daisey kept these letters and diaries secret throughout her life. Through Geoffrey Wards careful and thorough work, we now have another window to look through to know more about these times and people who had such a great impact on our country.

[Maryclaire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading historical diaries. This book did not disappoint. The author did a marvelous job, with the letters of FDR to Daisy Suckley and hers to him. The author arranged them to the order of the time of their private lives, the war preparations, colleagues, all the family operations and disappointments along with all the trips that were taken in the years of 1933-1945. The book covers the declining health of the president and the lifestyle of FDR with Eleanor Roosevelt. A truly enjoyable ride through history.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting behind-the-scenes perspective of the personal side of FDR, especially during momentous historical events. Suckley's writing, though, borders on idol worship of Roosevelt and can be rather cloying at times. Her diary entries are more clearly written and illuminating than her correspondence with FDR.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book. My problem was that the letters were very repetitive. And mainly about Daisy’s concern over FDR’s health and rest.
But if you like history you would probably like this book

[Lori-Suzanne Dell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Highly insightful, informative and entertaining. Really fills in the blanks with FDR.

[Yvonne Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting behind the scenes look at FDR but a little dry

[Persephone · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw the film Hyde Park on Hudson a few months ago, I had never heard of Margaret Suckley (pronounced "Sookley"), but I do know something of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his era, so I found myself questioning what I was seeing. Of course, the thing with so-called historical films is that there is a time constraint and a need to create dramatic tension, so you know the facts are going to be meddled with. Still, the President getting a blow-job in an automobile in a secluded field? A bit Bill Clinton, isn't it? The King and Queen of England becoming anxious at the idea of consuming hot dogs? A bit over-the-top, wouldn't you say?

As the credits rolled, I noted that the movie was based on a play, and the play was based on a book. I went home and placed a hold on the only copy in the library. It took three months for my turn to come up.

At first, I thought the wait had been a waste of time. Geoffrey C. Ward, a well-known biographer who has collaborated on occasion with the documentary film-maker Ken Burns, is not the author of this book, but the editor and annotator of this collection of the letters and diaries of Margaret Suckley, whom he had met while researching his own books on FDR. My disappointment gradually abated as I read further. Margaret (known as "Daisy") was articulate, idealistic, and absolutely in love with Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who was her distant (sixth) cousin. (His wife Eleanor Roosevelt was her fourth cousin, while FDR and Eleanor were themselves fifth cousins once removed.)

Daisy is very much a product of her time and class. Although her family had lost much of their wealth during the twenties and thirties, she speaks from a viewpoint of privilege and her attitudes towards people of colour, although liberal for the times, would get her into a lot of trouble today. She does, however, come across as sweetly naive, and you will not find a word of criticism against FDR whom she worshiped.

It was this very lack of criticism and her willingness to keep in the background that, no doubt, kept her in the very inner ring of FDR's circle long after the intensity of their friendship slackened. It was a friendship that lasted more than thirty years, and she was present at his death. Did this relationship ever involve a Bill-Clinton-ish encounter in an automobile? After reading Daisy's letters and diaries (some of FDR's letters and notes are included), I somehow doubt it. Both FDR and Eleanor had intense and romantic friendships, and I supposed some of them may have involved physical intimacy. However, Daisy's starry-eyed adoration over many years doesn't seem to fit in with that. We need to remember that it was a very different time.

For anyone interested in Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his era, this is indispensable, and Ward's annotations are even-handed and unobtrusive.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title of this book is very misleading. I don't think Margaret "Daisy" Suckley was FDR's closest companion; she was just one of many satellite companions for a man who couldn't be alone - partly because his paralysis made him dependent on others for help, and partly because I think he just really didn't like being totally alone. So when he wanted to be alone, he called Daisy. He could be "alone" while still having a person in the room with him, because, as he told her over and over again, he didn't have to bother to amuse or entertain her. She took this as a compliment, but what it meant is that FDR was interesting and charming with every other person in the world, but with Daisy, he could be boring. In fact, the second half of the book consists of years of not-particularly-interesting diary entries where she notes how often he takes naps(which was very often, and often while in her presence - she would sit there and literally watch him sleep), what he ate for lunch, and how good or bad his "color" was on any particular day. She was obsessed with his health, which in the end did him not one iota of good.
The first half of the book is the most interesting part. It contains correspondence between the two, and does hint at a kind of heavy flirtation, which I think was probably his MO with the women in his life. He certainly seemed to indicate to her that after his presidency was over, he and she would retire together to a little cabin and read books together. But it seems he gave that distinct impression to a couple of other women in his life, and after 1040, Daisy stops referring to "Our Cottage." But she never gave up on adoring FDR. She has not one negative word to say about him, ever.
All in all, I'd say this book is really only for FDR scholars, for whom this must have seemed like a goldmine of information. On the other hand, if you really want to know what FDR had for lunch on a random day in March, 1942, this may the book for you.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was inspired to read this book by seeing the movie Hyde Park on Hudson. The movie was so disappointing in the typical way that Hollywood oversimplifies and adds a sexual component to the plot, even though it is not necessary. For those of my friends that are F.D.R. fans, and especially for my high school and college friends who live or lived in or near Hyde Park, you will enjoy reading this book. Geoffrey Ward presents the letters between FDR and Margaret Suckley, his cousin and confidante, as well as her secret diary. Margaret, who lived at Wilderstein in Rhinebeck, was called upon by FDR to help organize his library. Over time, she became FDR's companion and devoted confidante. After his death, she went on to manage his library in Hyde Park. The chronicles tell the story of a perfect friendship and the adoration that Daisy had for FDR. It also give us an excellent behind the scenes look at how the President was cared for, his personal opinions and emotions during his 4 terms as a wartime leader. I am sad that I have finished the book. Now I must make the pilgrimage to the FDR library and to Wilderstein.

[Thebruce1314 · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was so much hype on the back of this book about how important this research has been in understanding FDR, I was expecting to find big revelations about what happened behind the scenes, particularly during the war years. Instead, I found out how much the president liked to fish, what he liked to eat, and just how much his cousin Daisy worshipped the ground that he walked on. I would guess less than 10 percent of what she had to say would be of any interest to historians unless they were pursuing a PhD on the subject, and even then only if they were counting FDR's caloric intake. It was boring, to say the least, though I did find the commentary on FDR's opinions of Churchill and Stalin (they shared the same outlook?!?) interesting.

[Nancy Loe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Ward, an author well-versed in Rooseveltiana, does a great job editing Suckley's journals. It's a great behind-the-scenes look at FDR's administration(s), but however much I admire the man, I want to clobber him for being so emotional seductive to defenseless women. I'd always read that Daisy Suckley was a cousin, but she was such a remote one that FDR had no compunctions about romancing her. I'm glad she had excitement in a brief period of her long life, but I still want to clobber FDR for not reigning in the compulsive charm.

[Joan Funk · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've tried to read this book twice. The first time I had no luck. I got about a quarter the way through. then I watched Ken Burn's special on the Roosevelts and decided I would try another try. Well I didn't have much luck later and I think it's just the format. The letters are not that interesting in a lot of cases and there's some references to people I don't know. The author tries to give the context/ background but for some reason this one just wasn't working for me. I do recommend the Ken Burns documentary.

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret "Daisy" Suckley was a distant cousin of FDR's but a near neighbor in Dutchess County. They forged a deep friendship and she, apparently, became his closest and secret confidante. She was present during the war years on many occasions when the good and great were visiting FDR in Washington and Hyde Park and her diary records these occasions. The book also contains her contemporaneous correspondence to him and, to a lesser extent, his to her. Fascinating for anyone who is interested in the Roosevelts and American history.

[Candace · Rating 1 out of 5]

The diaries and letters of Daisy Suckley..some from FDR.. give some insight into the President (given her adoring stance I couldn't think of not capitalizing the P). Diaries and letters lack the narrative flow that makes easy or compulsive reading, but there are moments here of delightful behind the screen of privacy views and some provocative details on FDR's life and relationships that made our book group discussion interesting.

[Jean]

I purchased this book after touring FDR's library and home in Hyde Park, NY. It provided a personal side to our former President. Margaret Suckley or Daisy was a close companion of FDR's and his neighbor in Hyde Park. She was devoted to FDR and this book was composed of letters between the two. The book presented interesting historical information from WWII and the gilted age of the rich railroad barons.

[Jim Short · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sure its very informative and may provide great insights into the life and relationships in FDR's life. That said, however, it is a collection of excerps from letters between FDR and Daisy. There are some explanations slipped in that explain names and provide a meager background on some items but no narrative. I found it impossible to get interested in reading this. I was only able to plow through the first 45 pages before resorting to browsing the remainder of the book.

[Jim Blessing · Rating 1 out of 5]

I decided to read this book after I saw the movie about FDR on the Hudson. The book is correspondence between FDR and his sixth cousin Daisy Suckley. It also contains diary entries. The book quite quickly became very boring and trite.

[Bobbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be very interesting an different view of an amazing man.

It took me a while to read since - read a couple books since I picked this one up. I recommend it to anyone,

[Jackie R · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is simply a very long book compiled by the well known autobiographer of Margaret (Daisy) Suckley's letters and diaries of her life with her very 'close' distant cousin, FDR.

[Kristi Newcomb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting.