Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Andrea Cook
Subject(s): Carpenter, John C. (John Condict), 1884-1933, Desborough, William Henry Grenfell, Baron, 1855-1945, Halpin, Matthew P., 1869-1932, Halswelle, Wyndham, 1882-1915, Hayes, Johnny, 1886-1965, Pietri, Dorando, 1885-1942, Porter, Harry Franklin, 1883-1965, Roosevelt, George Emlen, 1887-1963, Sullivan, James E. (James Edward), 1862-1914
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President Roosevelt sternly rebukes Theodore Andrea Cook, both for the offensive language in the letter he sent, and for the actions of the English officials in the 1908 Olympics. Roosevelt is especially angry about the disqualification of John C. Carpenter from the 400 meter run on what he believes are false accusations of fouling the English athlete Wyndham Halswelle. Conversely, in the marathon, the Italian Dorando Pietri was initially declared the winner over American Johnny Hayes, despite blatant violations of the rules. For the sake of maintaining good relations with England, Roosevelt does not wish for this letter to be made public, and has warned American athletes and managers not to openly criticize the officials. However, he wants it to be made clear that he does not approve of what happened.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-10-20
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Cook, Theodore Andrea, 1867-1928
Publication Date
2021-10-07
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Original Collection
Theodore Roosevelt Papers
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
7
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 Theodore Andrea Cook. [October 20, 1908?]. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o204637. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Andrea Cook. [20 Oct. 1908?]. Multi-image. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. October 30, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o204637.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919.: , [1908, October 20?]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Andrea Cook. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o204637.
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. October 30, 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.
