Who said “A reactionary is a somnambulist walking backwards.”?

Verified

Franklin D. Roosevelt. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceRadio Address to the New York Herald Tribune Forum (26 October 1939)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Radio Address to the New York Herald Tribune Forum (26 October 1939).

APA

Roosevelt, F. D. (n.d.). A reactionary is a somnambulist walking backwards. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/35344-a-reactionary-is-a-somnambulist-walking-backwards/

MLA

Roosevelt, Franklin D. “A reactionary is a somnambulist walking backwards.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/35344-a-reactionary-is-a-somnambulist-walking-backwards/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Roosevelt, Franklin D. “A reactionary is a somnambulist walking backwards.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/35344-a-reactionary-is-a-somnambulist-walking-backwards/.