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Theodore Roosevelt asks his father President Roosevelt when the best time would be to schedule his eye surgery. He would prefer that his mother, Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, not come up for his surgery as it would be too hard on her.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-06
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say Ted has had an operation on his eye and is not doing well at Harvard. Roosevelt says if Kermit intends to leave Groton School after this year to go to Harvard he will support him, but Kermit must work hard to succeed.
1906-04-18
Theodore Roosevelt is concerned to learn of G. R. Vanderwater’s troubles and hopes that his sight may be fully restored. Roosevelt sends his wishes for a successful operation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-25
President Roosevelt advises his son Theodore Roosevelt to schedule his eye operation now ahead of the Easter holiday, suggesting he stay with Dr. William Sturgis Bigelow or his Aunt Rosie for several days afterwards. He updates Roosevelt Jr. on Archie’s condition and how the rest of the children are doing. In a postscript, Roosevelt believes it would be better for Roosevelt Jr. to stay at a hospital for a few days following the operation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-06
After talking to Dr. Morgan, President Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt believe it is best that Ted has his eye surgery as soon as possible, preferably within the next two months. He recommends that Ted either have the surgery right away, so his mother can come to Boston for it, or wait until after Kermit’s holiday trip on the Mississippi River. The next time he sees Ted, he would like to discuss several college matters with him and hopes he will take up the course at Prospect Union.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-25
President Roosevelt updates his son Kermit Roosevelt on some of the goings-on of the family, and reports that Kermit’s brother Ted’s eye surgery went well. The egg-rolling at the White House on Easter Monday was great fun for the children, and the white house grounds are looking nice in spring. Roosevelt relates a humorous story involving Kermit’s younger brother Quentin Roosevelt, who “is a funny small person if ever there was one.” Roosevelt is trying to send aid to California, still reeling after a recent earthquake, and has been continuing his fight for a rate bill and the Panama Canal issue.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-22
President Roosevelt informs Harvard Dean Edgar Huidekoper Wells that his son, Theodore Roosevelt, will be delayed returning to Harvard because of a recent eye surgery. Ted had wished to return, but both William Holland Wilmer, the ophthalmologist who performed the operation, and Alexander Lambert, the Roosevelt family doctor, protested. Roosevelt encloses notes from both doctors attesting to this, as Ted does not want Wells to “consider him a malingerer” for missing several days of classes classes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-23
President Roosevelt tells his son, Kermit Roosevelt, about the medical procedure his brother, Theodore Roosevelt, had done on his right eye. It was a painful operation, but Ted “stood the knife as mighty few people can stand it.” Roosevelt is sorry Kermit plans to leave Groton early to go to Harvard, but says that if Kermit’s mind is made up he will not refuse him. He warns, however, that Ted has not done well at Harvard this year, which Roosevelt attributes to doing the same sort of plan Kermit now hopes to pursue, graduating from Groton early in order to begin college. Roosevelt will look into getting a tutor for Kermit, but warns that he will have to make up his mind to work as hard as he possibly can.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-18
President Roosevelt thanks Harvard Dean Edgar Huidekoper Wells for the letter, and comments that he is going to show it to his son, Theodore Roosevelt, because he thinks it will do him real good. He tells Wells, however, that Ted “is rather down on his luck at the moment,” because of a recent eye surgery.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-18
President Roosevelt is very concerned about the letter that Dr. Morgan wrote Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt about his son Ted’s eyes. It seems that Ted has not been wearing his corrective glasses and that now surgery will be necessary. Roosevelt urges his son to take care of his eyes and to wear his glasses and see the doctor. He instructs him to see the doctor at once and then to let his parents know both about his eyes and about how his studies are going.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-04
Katherine Rudolph tells Theodore Roosevelt about the cruel treatment she received at the hands of some surgeons and eye doctors, and begs him to look into the conditions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-01
Edgar Huidekoper Wells is sorry that President Roosevelt’s son will not be able to return to Harvard at this time. Wells states Roosevelt’s assessment of three undergraduate students is correct and it proves the importance of a well-rounded education.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-23