I don't know how anyone could compare to Theodore Roosevelt. Of course, he started off wealthy, so he didn't have to spend the first 40 years of his life earning money like Franklin did. But here are a few things:
1. Was so sickly as a child he nearly died of asthma. His dad told him "you have a great mind but a weak body. Make your body." Dad dies and kid makes himself literally the most physically fit US president ever by sheer will.
2. Read 1-2 books a day every day of his adult life, even when he was president and even when he was on safari in Africa. He fell behind while mapping the River of Doubt in South America, but hey, the library was closed.
3. In graduate school, despite having little naval experience, teaches himself naval strategy and writes the definitive history of the Naval War of 1812.
4. Was elected state rep. at a young age and married a hottie. She and his mom died on the same day, which was valentine's day, only two days after his daughter was born. It would have crushed a man. For TR, it made him stronger.
5. Went out west to find himself. Bought a cattle ranch in the west and became a cowboy, despite being from New York and having no experience. Became well-respected and was even appointed a deputy marshall. Thrashed a guy for calling him "four eyes."
6. Came back and became New York Police Commissioner. Would sneak out in disguise and spy on his cops late at night in Gotham (when it really was that), showing up and berating them for not doing their jobs.
7. Became the U.S. Civil Service Commissioner. Promoted actual tests and qualifications for jobs rather than sheer patronage. Literally began modern reform efforts in this area.
8. Despite a relatively insignificant office, becomes a huge player in the 1896 presidential election. His support helps propel William McKinley to the presidency.
9. Gets appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy. When war with Spain is looming and his boss is out, he sends the crucial orders to the Pacific squadron commander to pre-position his fleet to be ready to attack the Philippines. His boss is pissed, but when the commander wipes out the entire Spanish Pacific fleet without losing a man on the American side, no one complains.
10. Resigns his cushy government job on the principle that since he argued the most for the war, he should go. With no prior militiary experience, he decides to form a cavalry regiment from a mix of the Ivy league athletes he knows (back when the Ivy league types were the most physically fit men in America) and the cowboys he knew from the west. Even though he could easily become its colonel, he instead takes the 2nd in command to bring in an experienced officer above him.
11. In Cuba, his Rough Riders get into the fight and he learns quickly. When other officers are taken out of the fight above, his superior that he hand picked is pulled up to division and he gets control of the regiment at the pivotal moment in the campaign.
12. He leads the Rough Riders up San Juan Hill (It was actually Kettle Hill, part of the broader San Juan heights). He rides on horseback leading his men who are on foot, so he's a huge target. His glasses are shot off his face, but he has 3 spair pair sewn into his hat and puts a new one on and continues to lead the attack.
13. Despite heavy losses from Spanish Mausers, the Rough Riders defeat the position. They then hold on for several days, ensuring the fall of Santiago, completing the conquest of Cuba. For this, he will belatedly (2003) win the Medal of Honor.
14. Comes back a hero, uses his fame to save his men from apalling conditions where they would have almost certainly died of malaria and other diseases.
15. Wins the governorship of New York. He is so free of corruption that the bosses decide they can only get rid of him by making him vice president. He wins that job, but then McKinley is shot and he is president.
16 Youngest president and most popular president in history.
17. Panama Canal
18. Negotiates the end of the Russo-Japanese War. Wins the Nobel Prize.
19. Leaves on his own terms and puts his VP in the white house.
20. Goes on a safari in Africa. Shoots half the animals on the continent. Sends them all to the smithsonian Insitution for their displays. Kills a charging Rhino at 30 yards.
21. Runs for president when his hand-picked successor turns out to be a tool of corruption. Loses, but becomes the only 3rd party candidate in history to come in second.
22. Gets bored and decides to map an uncharted river in the Amazon Basin. Nearly dies in the event from disease and piranahs. Succeeds. The river is now the Rio Roosevelt.
23. 1929 he decides that he's taking up all the badassery and there can never be a Chuck Norris born unless he dies, so he agrees to do so.
I'm probably leaving a few things out.
As for Benjamin Franklin:
1. Wrote stuff.
2. Discovered something shocking.
3. Had sex with French women in his 70s.
So yeah Franklin's cool and all, but not a comparison.
