Susan Sarna recounts the formation of a young Theodore Roosevelt as a naturalist, highlighting his enjoyment of books by Mayne Reid, his first gun, and the revelation he experienced when he was fitted for eyeglasses. Sarna notes Roosevelt’s taxidermy work and his overseas trip of 1872-1873 which gave him field experience in preparing bird skins. Photographs of Roosevelt’s first gun, examples of Reid’s books, two birds mounted by Roosevelt, and an excerpt from a bird guide accompany the text.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

2019

Creator(s)

Sarna, Susan

Language

English

Period

Theodore Roosevelt and Public Memory (1919-present)

Page Count

2

Production Method

Printed

Record Type

Image

Resource Type

Magazine article

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:

From the collection at Sagamore Hill (#3): Boy naturalist. [2019]. Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308735. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.

MLA:

Sarna, Susan. From the collection at Sagamore Hill (#3): Boy naturalist. [2019]. Image.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 29, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308735.

APA:

Sarna, Susan., [2019]. From the collection at Sagamore Hill (#3): Boy naturalist.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308735.

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.