Your TR Source
Photograph of the O.K. Society, a group of publication editors, at Harvard University, taken in 1880. Theodore Roosevelt is on the far right standing in the second row.
1880
President Roosevelt will come to the Harvard Union with Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon after meeting his son Ted Roosevelt and nephew Monroe Douglas Robinson. He would like the meeting to be held “under the auspices of the Political Club,” because he thinks that would give the speech “a little more point.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-11
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
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Corinne about life at Harvard College, including dance class and the girls he has met, plans to bring his friends home at Christmas, and his club activities with classmates Minot, Saltonstall, and Gardiner.
1876-11-26
Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna that rooming with other people has cut into his work hours and he has been spending a lot of time at the Porcellian Club. He also includes what his plans are for his Christmas break and for presents.
1878-12-08
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna about staying with Minot Weld’s family and saying how everyone is so fond of her. He also says that he would not have had a social life if it were not for her. Roosevelt is “dumbfounded” at Jack’s engagement and is now formally a member of the Porcellian Club.
1878-11-10
Theodore Roosevelt tells his sister Anna about travels he has planned to New York. He is anxious to see how a cup he designed for the Porcellian Club will turn out. He also tells her how his studies have been difficult, but he is ranked high in his class.
1879-10-13
Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to hear of the “enthusiastic meeting” held by the National Progressive Club of Harvard University. He appreciates the work of the Progressives of Harvard.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-10-02
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Archibald Roosevelt regarding the Porcellian elections. He suggests not discussing the matter with anyone until the end of the year and then they will have a “war talk” if Archibald decides to enter another club. Roosevelt will be attending a Harvard Overseers meeting on January 9. There will be plenty of room at Sagamore Hill for Archibald and any friends he wants to bring on New Year’s Day. Roosevelt has been hired to write for Metropolitan Magazine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-08
President Roosevelt tells Clarence L. Hay that he would like to meet with him for lunch or dinner when Hay visits for the holidays to discuss an issue he feels “very strongly” about. Roosevelt desires that members of the Porcellian club explore external college activities unrelated to the club alone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-25
President Roosevelt writes his son Ted Roosevelt at Harvard, and is pleased about news related to the school’s Porcellian and Dickey clubs. The President asks Ted to give his regards to a number of his fellow classmates, and encourages his son not to neglect his studies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-01
President Roosevelt is pleased to hear that his son, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., has been elected to the Porcellian Club despite Ted never writing to his father about it himself.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-27
President Roosevelt asks Henry Bainbridge Chapin to find out what would suit the plans of the Porcellain Club people. He wants to visit the Union, but he also does not want to “scamp” both the Union and the Porcellain.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-06
J. M. Otterness, the University of South Dakota Sterling Club secretary, informs Theodore Roosevelt of former dean of the University’s College of Law Thomas Sterling’s candidacy for United States senator. He sends a copy of Sterling’s thoroughly progressive platform and asks Roosevelt’s opinion of it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-06
Kermit Roosevelt writes to his father about the start of his time at Harvard College. Kermit also describes reading President Roosevelt’s published correspondence with William Jennings Bryan, attending a speech delivered by William H. Taft, and seeing Frederic Remington.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-03
Edgar Huidekoper Wells writes to President Roosevelt about Theodore Roosevelt’s mediocre performance at Harvard. Wells names several students and alumni he feels would set a good example.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-14
Chronology of the daily life of Theodore Roosevelt between January 1879 to December 1883. Notable events include Theodore Roosevelt’s engagement and marriage to Alice Hathaway Lee, his appointment to the New York State Legislature, and his first visit and buffalo hunt in North Dakota.
Theodore Roosevelt Association
1985
President Roosevelt has enclosed a copy of the letter that he sent J. D. White in order for Ted Roosevelt to make plans with him. Ted Roosevelt can “pilot” Roosevelt around the Harvard Union. Roosevelt will not talk about Harvard president Charles William Eliot, and will accept that some of what he says will leak, but asks that reporters not be present.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-11