“He Didn’t Just Happen and He Didn’t Do It All Alone:” Theodore Roosevelt’s Background and Context
Subject(s): Agassiz, Louis, 1807-1873, American Museum of Natural History, Asthma in children, Bickmore, Albert S. (Albert Smith), 1839-1914, Cowles, Anna Roosevelt, 1855-1931, Eliot, Charles William, 1834-1926, Fathers of presidents, Harvard University, Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893, Lowell, James Russell, 1819-1891, Robinson, Corinne Roosevelt, 1861-1933, Roosevelt, Cornelius Van Schaack, 1794-1871, Roosevelt, Elliott, 1860-1894, Roosevelt, Martha Bulloch, 1835-1884, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1831-1878, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, Shaler, Nathaniel Southgate, 1841-1906
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David McCullough looks at the relationship between Theodore Roosevelt and his father, Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. He notes the elder Roosevelt’s important role in establishing the American Museum of Natural History, and he outlines differences between the two, notably the elder’s robust health and the many childhood ailments of the younger Roosevelt. McCullough examines the younger Roosevelt’s time at Harvard, especially his interest in natural science, and he establishes that he led a life of privilege unknown to most Americans.
Two pictures, one of each Roosevelt, accompany the article.
Collection
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
Creation Date
1980
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:
“He Didn’t Just Happen and He Didn’t Do It All Alone:” Theodore Roosevelt’s Background and Context. [December 11, 1980]. Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o305979. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
McCullough, David G.. “He Didn’t Just Happen and He Didn’t Do It All Alone:” Theodore Roosevelt’s Background and Context. [11 Dec. 1980]. Image.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 11, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o305979.
APA:
McCullough, David G.., [1980, December 11]. “He Didn’t Just Happen and He Didn’t Do It All Alone:” Theodore Roosevelt’s Background and Context.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o305979.
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 11, 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.
