Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles
Subject(s): Cowles, William Sheffield, 1898-1986, Derby, Ethel Roosevelt, Richardson, Teresa Stoughton, 1862-1947, Roosevelt, Archibald B. (Archibald Bulloch), 1894-1979, Roosevelt, Edith Kermit Carow, 1861-1948, Roosevelt, Elizabeth Norris Emlen, 1825-1912, Roosevelt, Kermit, 1889-1943, Roosevelt, Quentin, 1897-1918, Shelley, Christine Kean Roosevelt, 1884-1913, Shelley, James E.
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Theodore Roosevelt writes to Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he enjoyed William Sheffield Cowles Jr.’s recent visit. Roosevelt explains that they have secured permission to build a new road on their property and describes the redevelopment to accommodate motor vehicles. Roosevelt is amused by the effect of their newfound mobility on Ethel Roosevelt, Kermit Roosevelt, and their friends; they visit friends who live farther away and these guests reciprocate by visiting the Roosevelts’ home too. Roosevelt explains that he is glad they did not have a car before this summer, because he would rather not socialize so much. He updates Anna on the academic interests and college plans of Archibald Roosevelt. Archie and Quentin Roosevelt have taken to playing tennis together, which makes Roosevelt happy, and Quentin also plays baseball with James the butler. Roosevelt speaks very highly of the staff and servants of the house and stable, who are black, and the gardeners and the chauffeur, who are “native Americans.” Roosevelt hopes Anna can visit in the fall or spring and is glad he was able to visit her the past spring. He tells her that the Emlen Roosevelts have had a difficult time because of Aunt Lizzie (Elizabeth Emlen Roosevelt), who is feeble and suffering from mental illness. However, Edith just spent time with Aunt Lizzie and enjoyed it.
Collection
Creation Date
1911-07-28
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Cowles, Anna Roosevelt, 1855-1931
Publication Date
2012-06-21
Language
English
Period
Progressive Party Candidate (1911-1912)
Original Collection
Theodore Roosevelt Collection
Repository
Harvard College Library
Page Count
6
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
Electronic copy sponsored by the Theodore Roosevelt Center at Dickinson State University. For reproduction or publication permission, contact the Theodore Roosevelt Collection, Houghton Library. See the Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library Terms of Use for further copyright information.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles. [July 28, 1911?]. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o285255. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles. [28 Jul. 1911?]. Multi-image. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. October 29, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o285255.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919.: , [1911, July 28?]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o285255.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Harvard College Library. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/harvard-college-library. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Harvard College Library. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. October 29, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/harvard-college-library.
APA:
Harvard College Library. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/harvard-college-library.
