Your TR Source
Abel Chapman thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his letter and pamphlet on the coloration of birds and mammals, praising Roosevelt’s arguments and emphasizing the value of field observation over theory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-13
John M. Phillips appreciates the pamphlet on “Concealing Coloration in Birds and Mammals” sent by Theodore Roosevelt and thinks it is a valuable contribution to the scientific field. He denigrates Abbott Handerson Thayer’s views on camouflage and is glad that Roosevelt will be writing a letter to the editor of The Open. He also appreciated Roosevelt’s words against William J. Long’s fake natural history.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-16
Theodore Roosevelt looks forward to receiving a magazine from John M. Phillips and will write to the editor as suggested. Roosevelt will send Phillips a copy of the Concealing Coloration pamphlet.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-07
Theodore Roosevelt grants Abbott Handerson Thayer permission to use a picture and expresses his strong disagreement with Thayer’s theory that all animal coloration serves as camouflage. Roosevelt urges Thayer to recognize the complexity of natural coloration and avoid forcing all examples into a single theory. He praises Thayer’s artistic talent and love of nature but warns that his refusal to acknowledge alternative explanations diminishes the scientific value of his work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-08
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that Charles W. Hargitt enjoyed his study on concealing coloration, and reiterates his opinion that Thayer’s high reputation is unwarranted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-05
Theodore Roosevelt believes that Carl Ethan Akeley should be satisfied with getting a bull elephant with tusks that weigh sixty pounds apiece while in Africa. Roosevelt is starting a study of concealing coloration and asks Henry Fairfield Osborn if the American Museum would be interested in publishing such a study. Roosevelt is disappointed that no one in the scientific community has questioned the absurdities in Abbott Handerson Thayer’s book on the subject. Roosevelt adds that he would like to come to the Museum in a few days to see Osborn and Frank M. Chapman.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-21
Theodore Roosevelt tells Nancy Yulee Neff that he has told the Macmillan Company that he has sent Neff this letter and encourages Neff to take things up with Macmillan immediately. Roosevelt also says that “if the terms are satisfactory I will forthwith begin with introductions.” He assures Neff that he will speak of C. H. Stigand’s work and death, as well as the “concealing coloration of big game.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-20
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Witmer Stone, editor of The Auk, regarding a recent article that inaccurately criticized Roosevelt’s prior work on “concealing coloration” and “counter-shading” in response to Abbot Handerson Thayer, including in African Game Trails. Roosevelt also defends photographs he had taken of birds.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-22
Charles W. Hargitt thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his paper, “Revealing and Concealing Coloration in Birds and Mammals,” and his “convincing critique” of Abbott Handerson Thayer. Hargitt also sends a copy of a discussion on a similar topic that might interest Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-02
Raymond Pearl considers Theodore Roosevelt’s latest scientific paper on “Revealing and Concealing Coloration” to be a valuable contribution to the discussion regarding the topic, and offers his own thoughts and findings based on his own experiments that might be of interest to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-31
Abbot Handerson Thayer rebukes Theodore Roosevelt and other naturalists who criticize something they will not investigate for themselves, namely animal adaptation and coloring. He invites Roosevelt to experience his imitation zebra and learn for himself.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-27
Senator Lodge encloses an article he wrote regarding an incident in the lives of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-29
Abbott Handerson Thayer writes about the critical response to his book “Concealing-Coloration in the Animal Kingdom.” Thayer provides several examples to support his argument that all animal coloration is camouflage.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-10