Theodore Roosevelt’s spelling reform initiative
Subject(s): American newspapers, Bonaparte, Charles J. (Charles Joseph), 1851-1921, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919, English language--Orthography and spelling, Federalist, Johnson, Samuel, 1709-1784, Livingston, Leonidas F. (Leonidas Felix), 1832-1912, Matthews, Brander, 1852-1929, Presidents--Language, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, Root, Elihu, 1845-1937, Simplified Spelling Board, Stillings, Charles A., 1871-1917, Tawney, James A. (James Albertus), 1855-1919, Thieman, Paul, United States. Government Printing Office, Watterson, Henry, 1840-1921, Webster, Noah, 1758-1843
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John H. Vivian examines the controversy that swirled around President Theodore Roosevelt’s executive order of August 1906 mandating a simplified form of spelling in certain government documents. He looks at the reaction of newspapers from around the country, and says that their initial reactions were overdone but were later tempered. He also examines the reaction from some agencies of the federal government, and notes opposition to the plan in Congress that centered less on concerns about spelling and more on Roosevelt’s use of executive power.
This article is also noteworthy as it is the first article in the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal to have endnotes.
Collection
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
Creation Date
1978
Creator(s)
Language
English
Period
Theodore Roosevelt and Public Memory (1919-present)
Page Count
3
Production Method
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
No permission is required from the Theodore Roosevelt Association to use items in the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal collection for educational purposes. For permissions, contact William Tilchin at (516) 921-6319 or by email at wnt@bu.edu.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Theodore Roosevelt’s spelling reform initiative. [December 19, 1978]. Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o305880. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Vivian, John (John H.). Theodore Roosevelt’s spelling reform initiative. [19 Dec. 1978]. Image.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 19, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o305880.
APA:
Vivian, John (John H.)., [1978, December 19]. Theodore Roosevelt’s spelling reform initiative.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o305880.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 19, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.
APA:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.
