Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank M. Chapman
Subject(s): Arizona--Mesa, Cactus wren, Roosevelt, Archibald B. (Archibald Bulloch), 1894-1979, Thayer, Abbott Handerson, 1849-1921, Zoological specimens
Click on image to zoom in
Theodore Roosevelt relates to Frank M. Chapman that while visiting Archibald Roosevelt at his school in Mesa, Arizona, he noticed a number of birds which he failed at the time to recognize as cactus wren, due to the solid black coloration of their throats and their vigorous, familiar behavior. Roosevelt is forwarding several specimens to Chapman to ascertain whether his identification of the birds was correct. Roosevelt will soon begin writing an article on concealing coloration, as he is surprised that scientists have accepted Abbott Handerson Thayer’s theories on the subject so readily.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-04-24
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Chapman, Frank M. (Frank Michler), 1864-1945
Language
English
Period
Progressive Party Candidate (1911-1912)
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 Frank M. Chapman. [April 24, 1911]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o217136. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank M. Chapman. [24 Apr. 1911]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 23, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o217136.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1911, April 24]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank M. Chapman.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o217136.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
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 Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 23, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
