The determined independent study of a young naturalist: Theodore Roosevelt, 1874-1875
Subject(s): Baird, Spencer Fullerton, 1823-1887, Bell, John G. (John Graham), 1812-1889, Natural history correspondence, Ornithology, Osborn, Frederick Sturges, 1859-1875, Osborn, Henry Fairfield, 1857-1935, Passenger pigeon, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, Roosevelt, William Emlen, 1857-1930
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Margaret P. Griffin chronicles the evolution of Theodore Roosevelt as a naturalist in the years 1874 and 1875. She highlights the creation of a “Natural History Society” composed of Roosevelt and several of his friends who shared nature observations, read papers, and organized outings. Griffin focuses on Roosevelt’s avid interest in ornithology, and she provides excerpts from Roosevelt’s notebooks to demonstrate his detailed knowledge of different species. Griffin notes Roosevelt’s encounters with the now extinct passenger pigeon, and she details the death of Frederick Sturges Osborn, one of Roosevelt’s closest friends and fellow ornithologist.
Seven photographs accompany the essay, including one of Roosevelt and another showing examples of his bird taxidermy.
Collection
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
Creation Date
2014
Creator(s)
Griffin, Margaret P. (Margaret Porter)
Language
English
Period
Theodore Roosevelt and Public Memory (1919-present)
Page Count
8
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:
The determined independent study of a young naturalist: Theodore Roosevelt, 1874-1875. [2014]. Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308540. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Griffin, Margaret P. (Margaret Porter). The determined independent study of a young naturalist: Theodore Roosevelt, 1874-1875. [2014]. Image.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 29, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308540.
APA:
Griffin, Margaret P. (Margaret Porter)., [2014]. The determined independent study of a young naturalist: Theodore Roosevelt, 1874-1875.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308540.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 29, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.
APA:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.