Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Belle Roosevelt and discusses, at length, the sadness over Quentin Roosevelt’s death. Roosevelt also discusses Archie Roosevelt’s injuries and the status of the rest of the family.
1918-08-11
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Belle Roosevelt noting receipt of her prior letter, and discussing further details about Kermit Roosevelt’s transfer to the American army. Roosevelt also updates Belle on the status of the family, specifically discussing several of the grandchildren.
1918-05-22
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Belle Roosevelt to discuss Kermit Roosevelt’s recent military promotion to Captain. Roosevelt also discusses his current views of the war and his discouragement with America’s position.
1917-12-10
Theodore Roosevelt updates Belle Roosevelt on the status of the family. Ethel Roosevelt Derby’s husband has been unable to travel to Europe, and her son is still recovering from surgery. Quentin Roosevelt’s fiancee Flora Payne Whitney recently visited for dinner.
1917-09-01
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Belle Roosevelt to give a status update on the family. Sons Archie and Ted Roosevelt have both received military promotions, and Quentin Roosevelt is on his way to France. Ethel Roosevelt Derby’s son Richard required surgery for appendicitis.
1917-08-08
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Belle Roosevelt about the family. Roosevelt mentions his disapproval of President Wilson’s handling of the war, and also discusses Kermit Roosevelt’s work.
1917-05-23
Theodore Roosevelt updates Belle Roosevelt about the family. Ethel Roosevelt Derby has still not fully recovered from surgery, but Eleanor Butler Roosevelt and the new baby are doing very well.
1915-11-11
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Belle Roosevelt about the family. Ethel Roosevelt Derby had surgery for appendicitis and is in the hospital, while Eleanor Butler Roosevelt just gave birth to her third child, Cornelius.
1915-10-24
Theodore Roosevelt congratulates Belle Roosevelt on the expected birth of her first child. Roosevelt also informs Belle that daughter-in-law Eleanor Butler Roosevelt is expecting her third child.
1915-08-13
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Belle Roosevelt, at length, about a magic show that Belle recently saw. Roosevelt also discusses his magic show experiences. In addition, Roosevelt gives an update on the status of the family, and mentions a recent visit to watch New York police drills.
1915-06-26
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Belle Roosevelt about happenings in the Roosevelt family. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt has not been well and is in the hospital. Eleanor Butler Roosevelt and Ethel Roosevelt Derby are also unwell. When Edith is feeling better, Roosevelt plans to take her on trips to Louisiana and San Francisco.
1915-04-17
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Belle Roosevelt about Kermit Roosevelt’s work in Argentina. Roosevelt gives his impressions on President Wilson’s handling of the war, as well as an update about other family members.
1915-02-17
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister during a visit to his daughter, Ethel Roosevelt Derby. He describes his grandchildren and how they have been a comfort to him and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt. Roosevelt writes about the deaths of Quentin Roosevelt and Stewart Douglas Robinson and the tragedy of death at such a young age. Roosevelt mentions that he and Edith do not wish to publish Quentin’s letters.
1918-08-03
Theodore Roosevelt thanks his sister for her letter and poem. He has learned that Theodore Roosevelt and Archibald Roosevelt have landed in France, Kermit Roosevelt has been offered a position with the British army in Mesopotamia, and Quentin Roosevelt passed his flying corps examinations. Ethel Roosevelt Derby’s husband, Richard Derby, is also eager to be involved with the war, and Eleanor Butler Roosevelt will soon leave for France to do work with the Y.M.C.A.
1917-07-03
Theodore Roosevelt expresses concern over his sister’s eye problems and Douglas Robinson’s fall. He writes that Edgar Lee Masters visited and that Ethel Roosevelt has left. Roosevelt mentions a lunch with Theodore Douglas Roosevelt and John King.
1918-07-03
President Roosevelt wishes his son Kermit Roosevelt a happy birthday. He would like to hear all about Kermit’s trip west and especially to hear about college. Preparation for the Africa trip is going well. Roosevelt would like to know if the English shoes he sent Kermit are all right and says that at Christmas he will take Kermit’s list of books that he would like to bring. Roosevelt discusses Ethel Roosevelt’s horse jumping and details a “scramble walk” he took with Archibald Willingham Butt through Rock Creek Park.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-10
President Roosevelt drops his son Ted a line to tell him that they are thinking of him as he starts out life in the “big world.” He reports that Ethel took his horse Roswell over the high hurdle twice before he made her promise not to do it again. Roosevelt’s leg has bothered him, but he thinks it is recovering now. He is being very careful with it so that he will start out well on his African safari. Ted’s registration in Oyster Bay has been worked out, and Roosevelt encourages him to make it down to vote.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-10
President Roosevelt thanks British Governor General of the Sudan Wingate for providing a boat in Gondokoro and offering assistance with guides and camp set up. He details his feelings regarding hunting in the reserves, and inquires about finding elephant, white rhinoceros, and giant eland. Roosevelt knows General George Wood Wingate and respects him as a soldier, and he is grateful that Lady Catherine Leslie Rundle Wingate will host Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and Ethel Roosevelt. S. J. Leigh Hunt has said that Reginald has accomplished a great deal in Sudan, which Roosevelt knows is a difficult feat.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-14
President Roosevelt updates Kermit Roosevelt on preparations for their Safari and on family life. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt has lately been exposed to commentary about the potential dangers of the trip, including letters from Cecil Spring Rice and an article in The Public Ledger. The Roosevelt family celebrated Ted Roosevelt’s birthday with a picnic, and Roosevelt feels strongly that Ted will be successful in his upcoming ventures. Soon Archie Roosevelt will be heading back to school and summer will give way to fall.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-14
William Loeb asks Riggs National Bank to balance bank accounts belonging to Ted, Kermit, and Ethel Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-12