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 concerned that she did not receive his last letter, which contained letters from both brother Elliott and sister Corinne. Roosevelt is ambivalent about his future in his current profession and thinks he may again focus on writing books.
1893-08-16
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about the state of things at his Dakota ranch. He has been doing some hunting, but is very concerned about the recent drought and the effect it will have on the cattle.
1893-09-16
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna, discouraging her from going to visit their alcoholic brother Elliott. He does not believe that Elliott can be helped, so he should just be left alone. Roosevelt continues to put in long hours at the Civil Service Commission.
1893-10-11
Theodore Roosevelt thanks his sister Anna for remembering his birthday. He would like Anna to ask Bob to forward any cattle checks to him at once. Roosevelt has continued to give lectures which he thinks have been successful.
1893-11-06
Theodore Roosevelt acknowledges his sister Anna’s two telegrams. He has decided that he can travel with Anna on an upcoming trip.
1893-12-06
Theodore Roosevelt describes to his sister Anna a dinner at her home which he calls one of the “greatest successes” he has ever seen. Brother-in-law Douglas Robinson received a telegram saying the “authorities would not allow the body to land.”
1893-12-10
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about an unpleasant letter he recently received with a request from a mutual friend. He says he is on the mend.
1893-12-13
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about financial matters. He is once again short of money and is again considering leaving Sagamore Hill. He and Edith have also been socializing quite a bit and had a long conversation about public schools.
1893-12-17
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about current happenings with the family. Alice is away at school, and brother Elliott sent Roosevelt a Christmas gift. He and Edith continue to socialize quite a bit. He feels the Civil Service Commission is accomplishing something but his book is not really coming along. Roosevelt goes for scrambles in Rock Creek Park.
1893-12-31
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about his Civil Service Commission work. He is trying to make President Cleveland make extensions of classified service. He has been spending time with Senator Lodge riding and hiking. Edith is improving and daughter Alice’s ankles are bothering her.
1894-01-06
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt about recent happenings in Washington. He has been getting along well with President Cleveland and his new colleague at the Civil Service Commission, John Robert Procter. Roosevelt enjoyed his most recent White House and Cabinet calls. He and his wife Edith continue to socialize quite a bit, and they introduced the Bellamy Storers to Judge William H. Taft.
1894-01-07
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Archie, serving in the military in Europe, with the latest family news.
1917-06-28
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