Cowles, Wm. S. (William Sheffield), 1846-1923

Henry J. Hendrix argues that President Theodore Roosevelt did not see diplomacy and the deployment of the United States Navy as separate and unrelated actions, but rather he saw and used them as complements to one another, and Hendrix cites examples of episodes during Roosevelt’s presidency to bolster his argument. Hendrix cites the Venezuelan crisis of 1902, intervention in Panama in 1903, the kidnapping of Ion Perdicaris in 1904, and the mediation of the Russo-Japanese War in 1905 as examples of Roosevelt deploying assets of the United States Navy in support of his diplomatic efforts. Hendrix asserts that Roosevelt used a very hands on approach to his statecraft, in effect acting as his own Secretary of State and Secretary of the Navy.

Two photographs of Hendrix and one of Secretary of State John Hay appear in the article along with a text box containing the mission statement of the Theodore Roosevelt Association.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

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

Excerpts from the diaries of First Lady Edith Kermit Roosevelt edited by A. Richard Boera. The excerpts are taken from eight different years and most of the entries are short. Some of the most common topics include the various health issues of the Roosevelt family, lists of guests for lunch and dinner at the White House, and the riding excursions of Edith and Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore Roosevelt’s assuming the presidency after President William McKinley’s assassination, the final days of Roosevelt’s presidency, and the tour of Europe after Roosevelt’s African safari in 1910 are also covered. 

A photograph of Edith Roosevelt in 1901, a drawing of her by John Singer Sargent in 1921, and a family portrait of Edith and Theodore Roosevelt with all of their children at Sagamore Hill in 1903 supplement the text. A listing of the officers of the Theodore Roosevelt Association along with the members of its executive committee appears on the second page of the excerpts.  

Corinne Roosevelt Robinson is not sure whether her letter will reach John Campbell Greenway, but sends “warm, affectionate greetings.” She reminisces about their last visit at Hot Springs, Arkansas, and discusses the death of Anna Roosevelt Cowles’s husband, William S. Cowles. Robinson inquires about where to send a volume of poems called Roosevelt as the Poets Saw Him.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1923-06-11

Kermit Roosevelt describes a Roosevelt family Thanksgiving in Farmington, Connecticut. He requests a photograph of Martha and Robert Munro Ferguson. Roosevelt looks forward to visiting them next summer.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1910-11-26

Police Commissioner Roosevelt asks if James Roosevelt Roosevelt could give away Anna Roosevelt at her upcoming wedding to William S. Cowles. He cannot be there and is comforted that James can be with her. Roosevelt has been working very hard over the summer.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-10-20

Theodore Roosevelt encourages William Sheffield Cowles to “make good” on his first few difficult months at school. A gentleman must be educated and be able to “hold his own among other gentlemen.” Roosevelt is proud of Cowles and wants him to “work hard and play hard at school.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1911-12-03

Theodore Roosevelt states that he has always supported George Leavens Lilley because Roosevelt believed Lilley faced a “very corrupt gang”. Roosevelt is also amused by what Anna Roosevelt Cowles has told him about the Reids, and he is unsure how William H. Taft will handle the situation. He and Edith have also enjoyed William Sheffield Cowles’s visit.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-11-10

President Roosevelt is pleased that Anna Roosevelt Cowles has joined the National Grange and that she is at Farmington at this lovely time of year. He is uncertain about Representative Lilley’s trustworthiness; he is also satisfied that Congress made at least some progress this year before the recess.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-05-31

President Roosevelt is pleased that Anna Roosevelt Cowles has been able to see his sons at their boarding school on her trip with her family. He is pleased about her husband William Cowles’ promotion to admiral in the Navy. Roosevelt also mentions having averted a possible “stampede” at the upcoming Republican National Convention in Chicago.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-06-17

President Roosevelt greatly appreciates the gift. He suggests travel arrangements for William S. Cowles and is looking forward to seeing Anna Roosevelt Cowles and William Sheffield Cowles Jr.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-08-21

President and Edith Roosevelt have been worried about Anna Roosevelt Cowles, but they are pleased that she and Helena are doing better. He and Edith enjoy their meals outdoors when possible, and have arranged trees on their terrace so they cannot be seen by the public.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-06-13

When he sees them, President Roosevelt will explain to William Sheffield Cowles and Admiral Evans his reasons for not letting the squadron travel to New York.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1905-09-01

President Roosevelt was happy to see Anna Roosevelt Cowles and hopes William Sheffield Cowles Jr. is improving after his recent surgery. Roosevelt is pleased by the recent editorials and proud of the developments around the franchise tax.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1905-06-02

President Roosevelt is grateful for letters from Anna Roosevelt Cowles and William Sheffield Cowles, and thinks of them often.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1904

President Roosevelt and Edith Roosevelt have designated breakfast as their private family meal, and he enjoys spending this time with his children. He looks forward to a favorable result in the upcoming election; Edith has invited the members of the cabinet over on election day to celebrate or mourn the outcome as it happens.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1904-10-18

President Roosevelt was touched by the letter from William Sheffield Cowles, which spoke of a tragedy. Roosevelt showed the letter to William H. Moody.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1904-04-15

President Roosevelt wishes Anna Roosevelt Cowles well. He asks her to tell William Sheffield Cowles how much he appreciates his fur jacket.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1904-01-18

President Roosevelt forwards a note he received from William Sheffield Cowles; he found the note so touching he wants Anna Roosevelt Cowles to see it, but he wants it back so he can keep it. He wants to discuss several matters with Ambassador Reid and looks forward to seeing William Sheffield Cowles, Jr.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-10-28

President Roosevelt thanks Anna Roosevelt Cowles for sending a recent photo of her son, William Sheffield Cowles Jr. Edith Roosevelt is going back to Sagamore Hill shortly to look after the children and prepare for the permanent move to the White House. Roosevelt will miss her, especially while he continues to recover from his leg injury, but he has more pressing matters that require his attention, such as the coal strike.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1902-10-13