Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles A. Stillings
Subject(s): English language--Orthography and spelling, Language and education--Government policy, Lounsbury, Thomas R., 1838-1915, Simplified Spelling Board, Spelling reform, United States. Government Printing Office
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President Roosevelt tells Public Printer Stillings to direct that all government publications use the simplified spellings of three hundred words provided by the Simplified Spelling Board. Roosevelt explains his advocacy for simplified spelling, stating that he believes that it is important for the government to advance ahead of popular sentiment, rather than lag behind. If the changes meet with popular approval, they will naturally become permanent. Roosevelt maintains that the simplified spelling movement is a continuation of former simplifications and alterations of English spelling, and believes that it will make certain spellings “a little less foolish and fantastic.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1906-08-27
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Stillings, Charles A., 1871-1917
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
2
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles A. Stillings. [August 27, 1906]. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o196386. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles A. Stillings. [27 Aug. 1906]. Multi-image. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. November 25, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o196386.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919.: , [1906, August 27]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles A. Stillings. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o196386.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. November 25, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
