Keene, Francis Bowler, 1856-1945

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-04-04

Creator(s)

Keene, Francis Bowler, 1856-1945

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Francis Bowler Keene congratulates Governor Roosevelt on his vice-presidential nomination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1900-06-21

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-03-12

Creator(s)

Keene, Francis Bowler, 1856-1945

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-04-04

Creator(s)

Keene, Francis Bowler, 1856-1945

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Consul Keene agrees with his friend’s comment that Theodore Roosevelt is a seer, as evidenced by his article, “Race Decadence,” which is “fundamentally and everlastingly right.” He shares an amusing anecdote about a Dutch consul’s response to a comment by his wife, Emerin Keene, on how disappointing Queen Wilhelmina’s lack of children must be. Using literary quotations and personal narratives, Keene discusses the sorrow of child mortality and marital infertility.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-15

Poem reflecting on the first and last years of Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909

Francis Bowler Keene, U.S. Consul in Switzerland and old friend of President Roosevelt’s, sends William Loeb the enclosed personal letter for Roosevelt’s personal archives.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-02

Francis Bowler Keene has admired President Roosevelt since their time at Harvard, and he encloses a “tribute” he originally wrote in 1901 and has since edited for submission to a publication seeking verse about the Roosevelt administration. However, Keene does not believe the work is good enough to be published. He is grateful for Roosevelt’s support of his diplomatic career, and alludes to his application for the post of Consul General of Switzerland. “Countless people” have praised his devoted and conscientious work as a consul in Europe. Keene hopes to see Roosevelt in Naples next year.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-02

This poem by Francis Bowler Keene, a slight parody of Samuel Francis Smith’s “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” praises turkey and its place on the Thanksgiving plates of Americans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-26

Francis Bowler Keene sends a letter marked “Personal and Confidential” to William Loeb, to give to President Roosevelt directly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-01

Francis Bowler Keene explains the origin and status of a libel lawsuit to President Roosevelt. Louis Hite originally tried to have Keene removed from his post in the American consulate in Geneva, Switzerland, after Keene wrote letters against Hite who was separating from his wife. Failing that, Hite has now sued Keene for libel in his home city of Milwaukee. Keene assures Roosevelt that he was involved in the entire business against his wishes, and hopes Roosevelt, as a former classmate, will not forget his conscientious service.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-01

Francis Bowler Keene admires President Roosevelt and has followed his career. The country and Harvard are proud of Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-27