Derby, Ethel Roosevelt

Michael Patrick Cullinane recalls his discovery of oral history tapes at the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site in New York City that contain interviews with eleven friends and family of Theodore Roosevelt. Cullinane describes the process of gaining access to the tapes and having them transferred to a digital format to allow for use by researchers. Cullinane provides highlights from the tapes, listing some of those interviewed and insights they offered on the Roosevelt family, and he notes that he has made much of the material from the tapes available in his book Remembering Theodore Roosevelt. Six photographs of participants in the oral history project illustrate the essay, and the mission and vision statements of the Theodore Roosevelt Association appear in a text box on the last page.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

2021

Creator(s)

Cullinane, Michael Patrick, 1979-

Mabel Wellington White Stimson had been away and has recently learned more details of Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s accident. She sends her sympathies to everyone and offers her assistance if there is anything she can do.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-10

Creator(s)

Stimson, Mabel Wellington White, 1866-1955

Theodore Roosevelt tells George Otto Trevelyan that he thought Sir Edward Grey’s speech was fine and lived up to Trevelyan’s hope that it might be worthy of Henry John Temple Palmerston with all Palmerston’s good qualities and just the sense of power Grey should convey as the English spokesman of foreign affairs.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-06

Creator(s)

Unknown

Language

English

Period

African Safari (March 1909-1910)

Theodore Roosevelt tells Frances M. Wolcott that Ethel Kermit Carow Roosevelt has been very sick, but is now on the mend. After three weeks they were able to get rid of the two hired nurses. Ethel Roosevelt Derby has been a great help.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-11-30

Creator(s)

Greenway, John Campbell, 1872-1926

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Language

English

President Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that Kermit Roosevelt was chosen as captain of the seventh but fears he will fall behind in his studies. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is back home now and has brought Aunt Emily. Today was Quentin’s birthday.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-11-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt reports that while preparing his speech to Congress on Panama, he received the telegram from Kermit and Ted informing him about the football match. He says he, Edith, and Ethel all cheered. Roosevelt says he was pleased with the results of the elections and then describes what is happening in Panama.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-11-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt reports on the family animals and how he has been acting as “vice-mother” while Edith is gone for nine days. He has been reading a lot to Archie and Quentin. Roosevelt expresses his disappointment at Seth Low’s recent defeat. William Loeb inquires as to whether Kermit is receiving the Saturday Commercial Advertiser.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-11-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt sketches scenes from family life and describes them: Mother on a horse, the white rabbit, the dog chasing the white rabbit and Ethel chasing the dog, and a pillow fight between Roosevelt, Archie, Quentin and Ethel.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-10-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt is pleased that Kermit Roosevelt has been made captain of the third string football team. Roosevelt relates a story of horseback riding with Edith and Ethel and a pillow fight with Archie and Quentin. He also read the boys Uncle Remus.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-10-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt reports that he is having a touch of the “Cuban fever” and is glad to be in the house with Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt. He reports on the family pets and that Quentin is learning to ride a pony. Edith is going to take the three children to Doctor Rixey’s farm. Roosevelt says he is working hard on his address to Congress.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-10-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt tells his son Kermit that he is glad Kermit is playing football, but does not want him or Ted to devote more time to sports than studies. Roosevelt is glad to be President but overwhelmed with work, and takes comfort in reading about Abraham Lincoln. Roosevelt also relates news on family pets.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-10-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt says the house feels empty without Kermit and Ted and reports on the activities of the rest of the family. C. Grant La Farge and Owen Wister are coming to visit.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-09-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt is happy to hear Kermit’s crew team won. Roosevelt says he cannot wait for Kermit to come home to divide all the treasures from his western trip between the children, but Kermit’s share will be set aside. Josiah the badger is “very good natured.” Roosevelt had a good trip but is tired and homesick.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-06-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt discusses literature and a visit from his friends from North Dakota, the Sewall family and Mrs. Dow and her son. He lists all the attractions they saw in Washington, D.C., and who they met. Roosevelt relates that he has a cold but is very busy, and met the new French ambassador.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-02-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt writes to his son, Kermit, that he and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt have been riding regularly and have had many visitors, including the Grant La Farges, Winty Chanlers, John Fox, Procter and William Dudley Foulke. He says Senator Hanna enjoys playing with the kitten and Ethel had a friend over. Roosevelt also complains about the pain in his arm and says that Kermit and Ted should go to Harvard.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-01-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt tells his son Kermit he was melancholy after Kermit and Ted went back to school. He reports on the antics of the cats and one incident that involved the next Speaker of the House Joseph Cannon. Roosevelt adds that he has his hands full with presidential work, and Ethel reluctantly returned to boarding school.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1903-01-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt reports to his son Kermit how he spent Election Day at Sagamore Hill with family and all six dogs.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1902-11-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt is pleased with his son Kermit’s grades and mentions the horses. He says Ethel has been riding with him on Miss Root’s pony.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1902-10-31

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919