Derby, Ethel Roosevelt

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to hear about Surgeon-Lieutenant Derby. He hopes his daughter approves of his comments on the sinking of the RMS Lusitania, as he finds it difficult to restrain himself regarding President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan. In the libel suit, the judge has struck most of Roosevelt’s important evidence. He does not understand “so wicked a ruling” and cannot see a way to win. He is looking forward to seeing Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt soon.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1915-05-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

Theodore Roosevelt is constantly thinking of Ethel Roosevelt Derby and her family. He encloses the article that should be sent to Roger. Any changes to the article need to be requested by Monday or Tuesday.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-01-29

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

Theodore Roosevelt is enjoying spending time with Ethel Roosevelt Derby’s children, Richard Derby, Jr., and Edith Roosevelt Derby. He received an interesting letter from Rudyard Kipling, who had hosted Kermit and Belle Roosevelt. Kermit received a captaincy from the British and Roosevelt is proud of his family’s contribution to the war effort.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-08-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

Ethel Roosevelt Derby’s letter made Theodore Roosevelt homesick for the Derby family. He is now always at breakfast on time as Ethel’s daughter, Edith Roosevelt Derby, is no longer there to keep his attention. When mounting his horse recently, Roosevelt laughed after recalling Richard Derby, Jr., frightening the horse with loud tricycling. They are excited over press reports that Quentin Roosevelt claimed an aerial victory which Roosevelt describes as Quentin’s “day of honor and triumph.” Archibald Roosevelt is having an arm operation and may need eight months to recover before returning to active service.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-07-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt enjoyed her trip to Illinois and is doing “really well.” They are planning to go out riding later. It has been a comfort to see Archibald Roosevelt’s family, Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt and their son Archibald.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-08-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

Theodore Roosevelt remarks that Uncle Douglas (Robinson’s) death is sad, but even sadder is the loss of the young, with life ahead of them. He comments, “That was fine, about the notary public and Quentin’s legacy.” Roosevelt misses Ethel Roosevelt Derby’s children, Richard Derby and Edith Roosevelt Derby.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-09-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

Lawrence F. Abbott admires Ethel Roosevelt Derby as her own private secretary. Theodore Roosevelt would like to give Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt a pair of large, fur gloves for Christmas. He asks Ethel to find the gloves for him.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1914-1918

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

Theodore Roosevelt compliments Ethel Roosevelt on her letters. He is looking forward to seeing Ethel and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt in Europe. Roosevelt is considering altering his schedule as he has his heart set on revisiting the sites of his honeymoon with Edith. He will be spending the next week with Lord and Lady Delamere. Kermit Roosevelt is currently hunting bongo and Roosevelt has a colobus monkey specimen and elephant teeth for Edith, which will be discarded if she feels “woebegone about them.” Several “hounds” have become attached to Roosevelt after he petted them.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1909-12-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

President Roosevelt updates Ethel Roosevelt on recent family news, particularly the activities of her brothers. He went on a “scramble” with the officers of the General Staff and War College. They did not travel fast but everyone made a gallant effort. Roosevelt understands Ethel’s annoyance at the “old bores” always talking to her about her father’s career. He compares her complaint to General Sherman loathing the song “Marching Through Georgia.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-11-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt

President Roosevelt feels anxious when thinking of Ethel Roosevelt taking chances but congratulates her on her hat and hair standing by. Roosevelt has been busy, including composing speeches and playing tennis with Ambassador J. J. Jusserand. Quentin Roosevelt hurt his knee playing football but has had some success with tennis. Quentin also reluctantly joined Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt for a picnic.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-11-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

Theodore Roosevelt’s trip has reminded him of Rudyard Kipling’s works, especially with all of the young Englishmen aboard the ship. Kermit Roosevelt is a great traveling companion and has made many friends. They are both getting along with the naturalists and Roosevelt believes that they will make the trip a scientific success. Everyone has been kind, and Roosevelt is enjoying the “brief aftermath of Presidential glory.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1909-04-14

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Postcard from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

The roads on Faial Island are lined with hydrangeas for many miles. Theodore Roosevelt wishes that Ethel Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt were there.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1909-04-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Postcard from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

Theodore Roosevelt knows that Ethel Roosevelt will love to see Gibraltar and the straits. He wishes they could see it together.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1909-04-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

The people of Nairobi remind Theodore Roosevelt of Rudyard Kipling’s stories, but locals do not appreciate the comparison. Kermit Roosevelt has been a great comfort and Roosevelt is very proud of him. Kermit has been taking part in race week but always on poor horses. Roosevelt describes some of the local people, including the “warlike Masai” and women “painted with vermillion and ochre.” He was glad to hear that the family was enjoying the European trip and does not want Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt to “economize in foolish ways.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1909-08-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

Theodore Roosevelt never told Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt that he was not homesick. In fact, he is growing steadily more homesick. He does not want Edith to needlessly economize as his expenses have been less than expected. Roosevelt has been pleased with Ethel Roosevelt’s relationship with her brothers and Aunt Emily Tyler Carow. He also approves of the books she has been reading and wishes he could read them himself.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1909-08-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

Theodore Roosevelt describes his current camp in the “African wilderness” which has been made less comfortable due to early rains. With the help of several African attendants, he has been hunting eland and oryx. Everyone has been behaving excellently and are “amply supplied with meat.” Roosevelt keeps a photograph of Ethel Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt on his table.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1909-09-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

Theodore Roosevelt and Kermit Roosevelt have been enjoying a four day hunt by themselves. Kermit seems older and “more developed in character.” Yesterday, Kermit rode fifteen miles to meet with a local African leader and brought back a keg of honey. Tomorrow Kermit and Roosevelt will part ways for a month. It has been difficult to find food for the “huge safari” and Roosevelt is concerned about some of his mail being lost due to the distances involved.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1909-09-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt

President Roosevelt says Ethel’s letter to Mother told them all they wanted to know and he sympathizes with her about the 8:00 breakfast matter. He looks forward to the changes that were made at Sagamore Hill and adds that as fond as he is of the White House, there is no place like home. Mother is feeling pretty well and his ankle still bothers him so he cannot take any exercise.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-06-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt

President Roosevelt describes rescuing a kitten from an attack by two terriers and seeing the Newberry twins burying themselves in sand. He also describes spending leisure time with Mother and a new horse he wants Ethel to try. He also mentions Phil, Jack, Ted and Kermit. Roosevelt signs the letter “The Tyrant” and includes an illustration of himself and the children calling him a “tyrant king.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-06-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes his daughter Ethel that he has not heard a word about the two new horses and says he wants a horse with which he will not have “an interesting circus experience” whenever they see an automobile. He will ride Rusty for now and is going out with Senator Lodge.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-04-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919