Characters and characteristics | - Theodore Roosevelt Center

Letter from John B. Brownlow to Theodore Roosevelt

John Bell Brownlow explains to President Roosevelt how he came to be the representative of the Post Office Department on the U.S. Government Board of Management of several expositions. After serving well, Brownlow suddenly learned that then-Postmaster General Henry C. Payne was displeased with his work due to false statements against him. Brownlow was subsequently investigated on his own request to prove the falseness of the statements against him, but while the investigations seem to have vindicated him he has been negatively impacted by being excluded from the Portland board. He asks Roosevelt to consider the matter and review the inspections, which show that his record is clean.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-28

Theodore Roosevelt the Prism

William Hard characterizes Theodore Roosevelt as a prism through which the ordinary world became more lively and vibrant.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1992

About Theodore Roosevelt….

Dwight D. Eisenhower characterizes Theodore Roosevelt as a man who loved and served his country both in public and private life, and who still serves as an example for people in modern times.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1957-10-22

A. J. Liebling on Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.

Journalist A. J. Liebling comments on the funeral of Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, writing that while Roosevelt sometimes felt that he could not fill the shoes of his father, President Theodore Roosevelt, as a politician, “he found his metier in 1940” as a soldier.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1944-07-20

Traditionalist and Progressive

In this excerpt from his foreword to the second edition of the Theodore Roosevelt Cyclopedia, John A. Gable characterizes Theodore Roosevelt as both traditionalist and progressive–wishing to preserve American and Judeo-Christian values, while also working to implement modern reforms to face new conditions and challenges.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

Unknown

TR on Booker T. Washington

Theodore Roosevelt praises Booker T. Washington as a great American who humbly worked to further great ideals.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1915

Theodore Roosevelt Understood

In this excerpt of his foreword to the Theodore Roosevelt Cyclopedia, William Allen White characterizes Theodore Roosevelt as uniquely understanding his time, allowing him to define and act on issues of social and industrial justice, among others.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

Unknown

Theodore Roosevelt said…

Several quotes from Theodore Roosevelt focus on the importance of character and of making an effort in life.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1986

William Sheffield Cowles

William Sheffield Cowles, son of Admiral William S. Cowles and Anna Cowles, died in Farmington, Connecticut, on May 2, 1986. Cowles was a nephew of Theodore Roosevelt, who praised his military service in World War I. In addition to his military service, Cowles worked as an investment banker and in Connecticut state politics. Cowles is remembered as “a man of charm, hospitality, wit, and intelligence.”

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1986

Childhood and morality

Judge Lindsey recounts the history of how children and young adults have been treated in the judicial system. He considers the morality of children, and how they come to be taught the correct ways to act as adults. In a perfect society, the home and church could be relied upon to provide moral training, but instead the state also must play its role through schools and the courts. Lindsey especially points out the duty of schools to condemn the crimes of businesses and public officials when they see them, so that they do not become bad examples that youths begin to emulate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909

Letter from George W. Hull to Theodore Roosevelt

George W. Hull tells Theodore Roosevelt about his neighbors, Esker C. Johnson and Anna Jeanette Johnson, who are very good citizens and have a very large family.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-22

Roosevelt in Salem

While visiting Salem, Oregon, Theodore Roosevelt singled out Constance Kantner to give a personal greeting to. Kantner, a five-year-old girl, has suffered from spinal trouble, and was watching Roosevelt’s procession from the side of the road. Accompanying the article is a poetic tribute to this act.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-11

Letter from Francis Richard Charles Guy Greville to Theodore Roosevelt

Francis Richard Charles Guy Greville, 5th Earl of Warwick, thanks President Roosevelt for sending the photographs of himself, and confirms receipt of Roosevelt’s boot measurements. Greville has appreciated the hospitality he received from Roosevelt during his visit to Washington, D.C., and hopes that Roosevelt will visit him in England sometime. He praises Roosevelt’s character, intelligence, and personality.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-14

An appreciation of Charles Warren Fairbanks

Booth Tarkington praises vice-president-elect Charles W. Fairbanks as sensible and practical, and writes that during the recently concluded campaign Fairbanks “was the ‘logical candidate’ of his party nationally for the vice-presidency.” This essay is accompanied by a portrait of Fairbanks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-09

An appreciation of Theodore Roosevelt

William Dudley Foulke describes and praises President Roosevelt’s character, and declares that “all these things fit him better than any man living to be President of a young, vigorous, great and flourishing Republic.” This essay is accompanied by a portrait of Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Seth Low

President Roosevelt liked Seth Low’s speech. He believes that New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes should be consulted about who he would like to have as delegates at large, and his wishes should be followed as long as he names people of high character.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-06

Ceremony transferring Sagamore Hill from Theodore Roosevelt Association to National Park Service

Oscar S. Straus, president of the Theodore Roosevelt Association, presides over the ceremony transferring ownership of Sagamore Hill from the Theodore Roosevelt Association to the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service. Speakers include the Chair of the Sagamore Hill Committee Bertha Bartlett Benkard Rose, Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall, and Director Emeritus of the Theodore Roosevelt Association Hermann Hagedorn. Straus and Rose speak on the work the Theodore Roosevelt Association has done since its establishment, particularly the effort to restore Sagamore Hill to the condition it was in during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. Udall praises the contributions Roosevelt made in urging the nation to conserve its natural resources, looking to the good of future generations. Hagedorn reminisces about Roosevelt’s character and hopes that visitors to this historic home will understand what made Roosevelt great and take that lesson to heart. Udall concludes the ceremony by assuring attendees that the National Park Service will care well for the site, and by signing the order officially establishing the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace and Sagamore Hill National Historic Sites.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association

Creation Date

1963-07-08

Roosevelt the man, estimated by Taft

On Inauguration Day, the New York Times reprints an article from Collier’s Weekly in which newly-inaugurated President William H. Taft describes his relationship with outgoing President Theodore Roosevelt. Taft describes his friendship with Roosevelt and gives his assessment of his legacy and character.