Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Abbot Handerson Thayer
Subject(s): Animals, Camouflage (Biology), Criticism, Natural history illustration, Nature study
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Theodore Roosevelt grants Abbott Handerson Thayer permission to use a picture and expresses his strong disagreement with Thayer’s theory that all animal coloration serves as camouflage. Roosevelt urges Thayer to recognize the complexity of natural coloration and avoid forcing all examples into a single theory. He praises Thayer’s artistic talent and love of nature but warns that his refusal to acknowledge alternative explanations diminishes the scientific value of his work.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-09-08
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Thayer, Abbott Handerson, 1849-1921
Language
English
Period
(1911-1912) Progressive Party Candidate
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
3
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 Abbot Handerson Thayer. [September 8, 1911]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o219669. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Abbot Handerson Thayer. [8 Sep. 1911]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 23, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o219669.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1911, September 8]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Abbot Handerson Thayer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o219669.
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.
