Your TR Source
Harvard University’s Theodore Roosevelt Collection, housed in its Widener and Houghton libraries, is a major resource for study of the life and times of Theodore Roosevelt. The collection originated as a comprehensive library opened in New York City by the Roosevelt Memorial (later Theodore Roosevelt) Association in 1923, and donated in 1943 to Roosevelt’s alma mater. The collection, since enlarged, includes manuscripts (Theodore Roosevelt’s papers other than those designated by him for the Library of Congress and papers of other Roosevelt family members), ancillary archival resources, printed works, photographs and cartoons, and ephemera relating to Roosevelt’s personal and professional life.
Portions of the collection, already cataloged, were digitized at Harvard and then received by digital library staff. Our digital library currently holds some 3,000 items from the Harvard collection, consisting of its total holdings of Theodore Roosevelt’s diaries, outgoing correspondence, and compositions, as well as eleven personal clipping scrapbooks, 1881-1899. See below to view items from this collection in the digital library.
Reproduction or publication of these materials requires the permission of the Theodore Roosevelt Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt updating her on the status of things in Washington. The children are now well and he and wife Edith have been doing quite a bit of socializing. Roosevelt’s writing is making “laboriously painful progress” and he had to go to Philadelphia on an investigation. He describes Rudyard Kipling who dined with them.
1893-04-01
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop to discuss his trust article, saying President William H. Taft and George W. Wickersham forced his hand when they allowed J. M. Dickinson to attack him over the Tennessee Coal and Iron deal. Roosevelt also discusses his possible presidential candidate nomination.
1911-12-13
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop to say he is glad to hear Bishop’s son will be lecturing at the University Club and that work on the Panama Canal is going well. Roosevelt also discusses the upcoming Presidential election, saying he believes President William H. Taft is unfit to be President, and weighs the pros and cons of running for President himself.
1911-12-29
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt updating her on the status of things in Washington. Roosevelt and wife Edith continue to do a great deal of socializing, despite financial constraints. Roosevelt is deciding whether to continue in his position as Civil Service Commissioner because his finances are in “fearful shape.”
1893-04-15
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about plans for their upcoming trip to the World’s Fair. Because President Grover Cleveland asked him to do so, Roosevelt thinks that he will stay in his position as Civil Service Commissioner for at least another year though he has not gotten along with his colleagues.
1893-04-26
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt inquiring if she received his last letter. He updates her on the status of their travel plans. Roosevelt has been dining out, riding horses with Henry Cabot Lodge and hiking.
1893-05-01
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about their upcoming trip to the World’s Fair. There has been some confusion about the tickets which Roosevelt is trying to sort out. His schedule has changed so he will now have to cut his portion of the trip short by a couple of days.
1893-05-04
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about the illness of her employee Bob. He wants to know if her household will be quarantined for a month.
1893-06-21
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about the condition of her employee Bob. He also gives her several book recommendations.
1893-06-23
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt telling her about his recent trips to Boston and Groton. He gave a speech at Groton School where he hopes sons Ted and Kermit will be able to attend.
1893-06-27