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 Archie Roosevelt to give him his love and to report on how his wife Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt and his brother Quentin Roosevelt are doing. Roosevelt says everyone is working but him, who is spending his time fighting German sentiment in the United States.
1917-07-08
Theodore Roosevelt writes of how pleased he and Edith are to have Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt visiting them. His grandson, Richard Derby Jr., was taken to the hospital. Roosevelt then asks Archie to tell the lieutenants he is reading Longfellow’s Saga of King Olaf. He tells of his battles at San Juan and ends with explaining that the current administration does not wish to have Roosevelt’s help.
1917-08-02
Theodore Roosevelt reports that Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt is visiting for a fortnight. Little Richard is in the hospital with appendicitis. Ted Roosevelt was promoted. Roosevelt is very frustrated with the slow preparations for the war.
1917-08-08
President Roosevelt thanks Walter Hines Page for the check and inquires as to when he will receive his copy of the Wallihan book. Roosevelt hopes to “accomplish some good in the south.”
1901-11-27
President Roosevelt thanks Walter Hines Page for the article Page wrote about him. He hopes to see Page in Washington soon.
1902-09-11
William Loeb informs Walter Hines Page that President Roosevelt would be glad to have him visit next week.
1903-11-04
President Roosevelt discusses with Joseph Bucklin Bishop the articles Bishop enclosed in his last letter. Roosevelt says that scandalous articles about Bishop, Colonel George W. Goethals, Secretary of War William H. Taft, and himself will appear, but they do not bother him.
1908-05-23
President Roosevelt writes that he is glad Joseph Bucklin Bishop agreed with how he dealt with “the Cleveland business,” which dealt with an article in The Outlook.
1908-09-10
President Roosevelt thanks Joseph Bucklin Bishop for his letter, saying it is one of the nicest he has received and that he will keep it always.
1908-11-17
President Roosevelt thanks Joseph Bucklin Bishop for his letter, saying it is one of the nicest he has received and that he will keep it always.
1908-11-17
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop to discuss his anger over the attitude of Congress toward Bishop, but notes that President William H. Taft and Senator Elihu Root have agreed to look out for Bishop.
1909-03-10
Theodore Roosevelt tells Joseph Bucklin Bishop he spoke with Colonel George W. Goethals and he hopes Goethals understood Roosevelt’s confidence in him. Roosevelt also discusses the political landscape in New York, which he characterizes as corrupt. He mentions that Henry L. Stimson is backed by honest men.
1910-10-20
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop to discuss his dissatisfaction with the way Bishop is being treated by the current administration. Roosevelt asserts that the best thing for Bishop to do in Panama is to support Colonel George W. Goethals.
1911-01-17
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop to inform him that Ian Hamilton will be visiting the Panama Canal and asks Bishop to show him special courtesy since he is Roosevelt’s friend. Roosevelt also praises Hamilton’s writings about the Russo-Japanese War.
1911-04-08
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop to say he is glad that Bishop clarified some issues regarding an article in The Outlook and makes plans to have lunch with him.
1911-07-21
Theodore Roosevelt complements Grace Stackpole Roosevelt on the photograph of her and the new baby. Roosevelt then discusses the telegram concerning Archie Roosevelt’s injuries.
1918-03-17
Theodore Roosevelt is proud that Quentin Roosevelt is going to the front as a pursuit pilot after many months of waiting and that the pride outweighs the anxiety. He mentions Flora Payne Whitney sending them the letter Quentin wrote her and how it amused him, especially given the work of the censors. Roosevelt has finished his speaking engagements and believes the country is hardening against German sentiment.
1918-06-19
Police Commissioner Roosevelt thanks Walter Hines Page for his letter. He informs Page that the article will be delayed if the Senate confirms Roosevelt as Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
1897-04-08
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Walter Hines Page for writing to him. Roosevelt wishes he could visit with Page.
1898-09-28
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop about helping Bishop’s son find work. He also confirms that the “bridge-whist” incident that Bishop read about is true. Roosevelt sends Bishop a pamphlet he wrote and also encloses a letter from Bryce about one of Roosevelt’s articles.
1911-09-08