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Harvard College Library

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.

2,870 Results

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Courteney Selous

In this carbon copy of the original, Theodore Roosevelt writes his friend explorer Frederick Courteney Selous regarding Selous’ upcoming hunting safari in the Sudan. He asks him to kill and investigate certain animals including a Lado giraffe and a whiteheaded cob. He updates him on some of their friends and says Edmund Heller is going back to Africa. He thanks Selous for his words about Roosevelt’s defeat in the last Presidential election.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1911-02-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit that he is concerned Kermit has not received any of his letters. He advises Kermit that if it is feasible he should get into the American army in France come summer. Roosevelt criticizes President Woodrow Wilson and complains about the unpreparedness of the drafted men and their lack of equipment. He says the general public are ignorant of military and international matters.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-12-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to report that Archie Roosevelt is being made a captain and General Duncan said Ted was the best battalion commander in the brigade. He says there is a coal famine among the poor, congested transportation and threatened food supplies for which he blames President Woodrow Wilson. Roosevelt encloses a copy of his new year address.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-01-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt tells his son Kermit about a letter from Ted Roosevelt’s wife Eleanor and about walking across the frozen harbor to the light house. He says he keeps making speeches and writing in an effort to produce more activity from President Woodrow Wilson’s administration toward the war. Roosevelt writes about playing with the grandchildren as well.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-01-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt tells his son Kermit about a visit from Walter R. Lawrence and discusses how the British tend to “butter up” Americans. The sketch of Kermit made by Philip de Laszlo came. Ethel Roosevelt Derby writes a postscript saying Roosevelt could not finish the letter because he was taken ill but is now comfortable.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-02-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919; Derby, Ethel Roosevelt

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about a visit from Edmund Heller who is now engaged to be married. They have not heard from Archie Roosevelt yet regarding the cables they sent about the birth of his son. Roosevelt writes how the Bolsheviks are ruining Russia and how Senator George Chamberlain’s investigation into the War Department is finally producing some changes. He encloses two extracts of letters regarding Quentin Roosevelt.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-03-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Banner Shull to his mother

Letter from Banner Shull to his mother

Excerpt from a letter from Banner Shull, who was in Quentin Roosevelt’s motor squadron, to his mother. Shull says “we boys” would do anything for Quentin, because Quentin always thinks of his men before himself. An added note, which appears to be in Theodore Roosevelt’s handwriting, indicates that this was sent him by a woman who saw it in a local newspaper.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918

Creator(s)

Shull, Banner