He was a frequent public speaker , and in 1929 was described as " best known now as an orator " , although " he gained first fame as a writer of historical works " . He was a speechwriter for and advisor to 1928 presidential candidate Al Smith . He became a close friend of Franklin D. Roosevelt ; the only book review Roosevelt ever wrote was in response to Bowers ' request for a review of his 1925 '' Jefferson and Hamilton '' . " As a result of Roosevelt 's lobbying " , he was the keynote speaker at the 1928 Democratic National Convention . His speech was broadcast nationally by radio
1928 Democratic National Convention
1928 Democratic National Convention
Claude Bowers