Mistral, Frédéric, 1830-1914

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Frédéric Mistral for sending him and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt a copy of his book and a medal. Roosevelt goes on to wish Mistral success and praises him for the lessons found in his writings. Roosevelt writes of the limitations of material happiness and the need to also take into account the “nation’s soul.” This item is included as a different draft of the original December 15, 1904, letter, because of the quote it contains at the bottom of the page.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1904-12-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt thanks Frédéric Mistral for sending him a copy of Mistral’s book Mireille. Roosevelt wishes Mistral success in his ventures in the West, stating that the U.S. is a nation of wealth-seekers, but that the nation also needs to value the non-material things of life.

3 copies: On the back of the first copy is a handwritten note stating that the letter was printed for press-work and that the G.O.P. could not consider him for a cabinet position. Copy 3 has a note commenting that it was no wonder Mistral admired Roosevelt.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1904-12-15

President Roosevelt thanks Frédéric Mistral for sending him a copy of Mistral’s book, Mireille. Roosevelt states that the United States is a nation of wealth-seekers, but that the nation also needs to value the non-material things of life. The second page is a note, written in a hand other than Roosevelt’s, containing a quote concerning the nature of poetry. This item is a copy of the original December 15, 1904, letter.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1905-12-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Three copies of a letter President Roosevelt wrote thanking Frédéric Mistral for sending him a copy of Mistral’s book Mireille. Roosevelt wishes Mistral success in his ventures in the West, stating that the United States is a nation of wealth-seekers, but that the nation also needs to value the non-material things of life. The first copy has a note at the bottom commenting that it was no wonder Mistral became a friend of Roosevelt’s.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1905-12-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt thanks Frédéric Mistral for the book and medal. Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt are pleased with the book because they have possessed a copy of it for nearly twenty years and are glad to have a new copy with a personal inscription by Mistral. Roosevelt applauds Mistral for teaching the lesson that “the things that really count in life are the things of spirit.” While factories and railways are good, what matters most are “homely, work-a-day” and “heroic virtues.” A second typewritten copy is included with a note explaining that the letter was sent in Roosevelt’s handwriting.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt writes Frederic Mistral how happy he and Mrs. Roosevelt were to receive a new copy of Mistral’s book Mireille with his personal inscription since they have treasured their copy for twenty years. Mistral teaches that the most important things in life are “the things of the spirit.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1904-12-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919