Your TR Source
A photograph of Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (standing third from left) with other classmates at Harvard. It might be a photograph of members of Harvard’s Porcellian Club.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1905-1908
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about Ethel Roosevelt’s wedding to Richard Derby and a reunion of the Porcellian Club. Mother got a new horse and Roosevelt is happy to hear Kermit got a promotion.
1913-04-04
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit on a number of topics including thanking him for visiting Quentin Roosevelt, hanging the Devon stag’s head, congratulating him on joining the Pudding Club at Harvard, his grades, running races and dreading the rest of his Western trip. He adds that Mother is enclosing a poem that reminds them of Edwin Arlington Robinson.
1911-02-28
Theodore Roosevelt tells his son Kermit not to be upset over getting black-balled from the Harvard club Sphynx. Roosevelt says it was probably more about him than Kermit, because the fathers of Kermit’s classmates hate him. He adds the campaign is almost over and his voice is in poor shape but at least he will not have to do this type of thing ever again. Roosevelt says he will send Kermit the books.
1910-10-15
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to tell him he hopes Robert Munro-Ferguson is on the road to recovery and that Aunt Corinne Robinson said Kermit was a comfort to her. A man sent Roosevelt a carved pipe he is keeping for Kermit. He says Ted Roosevelt is visiting and Roosevelt cannot believe Kermit did not get into the Sphynx Club at Harvard because he is going to Africa.
1909-02-24
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say he is not sure his letters are reaching him and he will have to stop writing now as he will soon leave for a five week trip to the West Indies. Roosevelt is working on the proofs for his book, Fear God, and Take your own Part and has had a lot of correspondence to attend to. Roosevelt says Quentin has the grippe, Archie has been accepted into the Pudding at Harvard, and Ted and Eleanor’s christening of their son Cornelius caused a disturbance in the family. He closes by commenting on how old he is and says he cannot wait for Kermit and Belle to return to New York once their baby is old enough.
1916-01-10
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about Archie’s experience with clubs at Harvard and his plans for the future. Roosevelt says his next two books, A Book-Lover’s Holidays in the Open and Fear God, and Take your own Part will be published in the spring. Roosevelt mentions house parties, dinners, and visiting the Davisons. Roosevelt criticizes President Wilson and believes the American people have been behind Wilson but are slowly waking up.
1916-01-02
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about Archie’s choice of Harvard Clubs and how Quentin is faring at Harvard. He also speaks of trouble in the Buenos Aires bank and a new bank venture he heard about. Roosevelt lists the recent visitors he has had and criticizes President Wilson. He add that the English were offended by a statement in Roosevelt’s last article for the Metropolitan.
1915-11-21
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit and daughter-in-law Belle with updates on members of the family including Archie and his decisions regarding Harvard clubs. Roosevelt details his leisure time at Oyster Bay and says he will send a speech he made to the Knights of Columbus. Roosevelt says the public initially object to him and his opinions but then come around to his point of view. He criticizes President Wilson but says that Wilson has finally recognized that the country wants to be prepared for war.
1915-11-02
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say he will back him up in whatever decision he makes. He writes about Archie being elected into the Signet club at Harvard and Archie’s attitude toward college. Roosevelt makes reference to his writing for Metropolitan magazine and that he tells the American people what they need to hear even though they wish not to. He takes credit for President Wilson finally endorsing preparedness for war. Ethel had her appendix out, Ted’s wife Eleanor had a second boy, and Quentin wishes to be manager of the football team at Groton School.
1915-10-24
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say that in the event of war with Germany, Roosevelt plans to form a mounted regiment and wants Kermit to be a lieutenant. He says if war should break out with Mexico he would not want Kermit to join because it would be better suited to Archie or Quentin. He says he will write Seth Bullock about forming a North Dakota regiment. Roosevelt also talks about a visit from Archie and Archie’s view on Harvard Clubs including the Porcellian.
1915-06-26
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about how Archie is faring at Harvard. Archie is independent minded and cannot wait to finish college and go to work. Roosevelt also describes the guests who have been visiting and trips into New York City. Roosevelt feels that President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan have horribly handled the war in Europe and the situation in Mexico.
1915-03-29
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about Ted dining at the Porcellian Club at Harvard in hopes it might help Archie get in, but he doubts it. He adds that Archie does not care and is doing very well at school. Roosevelt says he has been writing articles for the Metropolitan magazine advocating military preparedness and he is prepared to join a mounted rifleman division should the United States enter the War. He mentions getting old and entertaining a “lady-socialist” at dinner. Roosevelt adds that Ethel and Ted’s wife Eleanor are having a splendid time this year.
1915-02-22
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about Archie, how he is getting on at Harvard, and what he plans to do in the future. Roosevelt also mentions Ethel visiting with her baby Richard, and how Roosevelt has gotten the whole family involved in burning brush heaps. Roosevelt says he is glad Belle married Kermit and he hopes they can come live in America again.
1915-02-17
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about his visit to see Archie at Harvard and the clubs and places they visited. The Progressive Party has essentially disappeared and Roosevelt truly believes President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan are the worst men to ever manage foreign affairs. Roosevelt adds that he received letters from the King of the Belgians, Albert I, and the King of Norway, Haakon VII, and that Ethel is out of the hospital.
1915-01-16
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to report on victories for the Republican Party in the last elections, especially beating William Randolph Hearst in New York State. Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt are traveling to Panama, and Ted has come home from Harvard due to abscesses on his leg.
1906-11-07
President Roosevelt thinks Ted Roosevelt will get into the Dickey because all his friends have. He believes Nicholas Longworth’s election to the House of Representatives from Ohio is safe and feels the Republicans will carry a majority of the House. Roosevelt also hopes Charles Evans Hughes will be elected governor of New York. He closes by saying Edith has had neuralgia so they are going to Pine Knot for a few days.
1906-10-31
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about Archie playing with Skip the dog and spending time with Edith. William H. Taft and Robert Bacon have returned from a successful trip to Cuba, and Roosevelt and Edith will be going to Panama. Roosevelt closes with his opinion of whether or not Ted will get into Harvard’s Dickie Club.
1906-10-23
Allston Burr encloses a prospectus for a University Church to be built to honor the Harvard dead in WWI.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1926-06-21
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary sends Roosevelt’s thanks to Morton Barrows for his letter. Roosevelt’s schedule prevents him from being able to speak at the Associated Harvard Clubs meeting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-25