Your TR Source
A clipping from the New York Herald announcing Edison’s breakthrough with the electric light. The clipping only includes the headlines from the article.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1879-12-21
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Henry Ford at the urging of several of his acquaintances, such as Thomas Edison, Franklin Pope, and Ben Lindsey. They have told him about several of his ideas and practices regarding industry and workingmen. Roosevelt requests his presence for lunch or dinner the next time he is in the area to discuss many of these ideas. He also requests that another acquaintance of his, Frances Kellor, can be included in this occasion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-30
Thomas Edison has a case before Commissioner of Patents Allen and President Roosevelt would like every courtesy shown to Edison. The case should be decided on its merits but Allen should “personally and thoroughly investigate the case.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-11
William H. King, the president of the Technology Club of New York, invites Theodore Roosevelt to attend the annual meeting of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-04
Francis Langer, a self-described amateur natural philosopher, wants to send Theodore Roosevelt his treatise on the “nature, origin and operation of solar gravitation, as the principle of force and motion.” He enumerates some of the truths he discovered. Langer hopes his treatise will give Roosevelt as much pleasure as Roosevelt’s books have given him. He also hopes Roosevelt will be the powerful protector he needs and will bridge the gulf between him and the learned world.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-27
Isaac Eldridge Wilson discovered the “Universal Law” in 1891 and solved many problems with it. However, he has run out of funds needed to advance the work and seeks Theodore Roosevelt’s counsel. According to Wilson, this law solves all educational issues and accomplishes what many prominent men in various fields have sought to explain.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-16
Edgar Chambless reminds Theodore Roosevelt that they previously talked about his idea for Roadtown, and he left a book about it at Roosevelt’s office. He would like Roosevelt’s comments and criticisms on the Roadtown Foundation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-17
William C. Dudley writes to thank Theodore Roosevelt for an article in the May issue of The Outlook. Dudley expresses criticism for men like Thomas A. Edison who have publicly condemned religion and praises men like Roosevelt for their affirmation of religion. On the second page, Dudley writes a poem entitled “The Alchemist.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-06
Edgar Chambless plans to send copies of his book Roadtown to former members of Commission on Country Life in an effort to solicit their opinions on it, and asks Theodore Roosevelt if he would be willing to write a short message in support of this. While he heard that Roosevelt considers the ideas presented in the work currently impractical, they have been of interest to a number of other prominent people, which Chambless hopes will convince Roosevelt to assist in this way. He particularly references Luther Burbank as “not the type of man who jumps at conclusions or lends his name to impractical schemes.” By providing a message in support of Chambless’s investigations, Roosevelt will help make the ideas a reality.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-21
In a recent article by Washington Gladden, the pastor criticizes Theodore Roosevelt for his commendation of trades unions when they are properly conducted. Levi P. Thompson strongly criticizes Gladden for this, saying that he assumes Gladden, “from his objection to the term would have them improperly conducted.” Thompson agrees with Roosevelt that while labor unions have a good reason to exist, they must be properly managed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-14
Parker H. Sercombe has been asked to send Theodore Roosevelt a copy of his brief essay “Mr. Edison’s Maimed Mind,” which he encloses, as it is thought it may be of interest or use to him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-22
Parker H. Sercombe sends Theodore Roosevelt his “treatment” of the Edison-Gibbons affair and would appreciate any comments.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-20
Victor Oscar Freeburg asks what Theodore Roosevelt’s favorite poem is. He would like to include it in an anthology of the favorite poems of great Americans. He has already received answers from various people.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-09
Parker H. Sercombe argues that the Senate should be abolished as an aristocratic body that does not promote scientific thinking has no place in a democracy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-31
Chronology of the daily life of Theodore Roosevelt from January 1871 to December 1878. Notable events include the Roosevelt family’s trip to Europe and Egypt, Roosevelt’s entrance to Harvard, the death of Theodore “Thee” Roosevelt, Roosevelt’s trip to Maine, and Roosevelt meeting Alice Hathaway Lee.
Theodore Roosevelt Association
1985
Moore, Robert J. (Robert John), 1956-; Theodore Roosevelt Association
The article relates the history of the “Roosevelt Motion Picture Library” compiled by the Roosevelt Memorial Association and the Women’s Roosevelt Memorial Association in the 1920s. Headed by Caroline Gentry, the organizations procured films featuring Roosevelt from individuals and film studios and from these produced fifteen silent films about various aspects of Roosevelt’s life. Made between 1924 and 1930, the films were shown at the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace as well as at schools and libraries. The article notes the praise the films received (including from Thomas Edison), their retirement in the 1950s due to changing technology, and their revival and reproduction as video cassette tapes in the 1970s.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
1976
Edgar Chambless addresses himself to former members of the Country Life Commission, and solicits their opinion on his book Roadtown. Chambless believes that developing cities along the lines he proposes would alleviate many of the problems the commission observed during its investigations. Many prominent figures have already expressed an interest in his plan, and Chambless hopes the recipient will be able to endorse it as well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-21
Parker H. Sercombe discusses the question of “maimed minds” as raised by Cardinal James Gibbons in his comments on Thomas A. Edison’s focus on mechanical pursuits and the resulting atrophy of religious sense. Sercombe argues that qualities of the mind, like those of the body, develop and diminish through use and disuse. Therefore, “normal minds” are the product of brains trained to exercise “in the realities of life” from childhood. Such minds become maimed when wide theological divergence, fairy stories, and fiction confuse the growing mind and interfere with normal thought, thereby disabling judgment. Sercombe, therefore, asks if normal minds can accept theological dogma since the theological mind is “invariably maimed.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-21
Parker H. Sercombe discusses the question of “maimed minds” as raised by Cardinal James Gibbons in his comments on Thomas A. Edison’s focus on mechanical pursuits and the resulting atrophy of religious sense. Sercombe argues that qualities of the mind, like those of the body, develop and diminish through use and disuse. Therefore, “normal minds” are the product of brains trained to exercise “in the realities of life” from childhood. Such minds become maimed when wide theological divergence, fairy stories, and fiction confuse the growing mind and interfere with normal thought, thereby disabling judgment. Sercombe, therefore, asks if normal minds can accept theological dogma since the theological mind is “invariably maimed.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-20
Sheet music for “America Admires Brother Harding,” which celebrates the election of Warren G. Harding. The cover features an illustration of Harding with historical figures; Christopher Columbus, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas A. Edison, and Theodore Roosevelt.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1921