George V, King of Great Britain, 1865-1936

British critic Theodore Andrea Cook forwards two books on the Olympic Games to President Roosevelt. He “was obliged to publish the facts” about the controversial 400-meter race. Unless Americans forget certain incidents, Cook warns that American athletes will not be welcomed at British tracks. Cook apologizes for any perceived rudeness to the American contingency and assures Roosevelt of his and his colleagues’ respect.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-08

Ella Sears Bulloch asks President Roosevelt to give “a specially warm handshake” to Lieutenant T. E. Greenshields if he is presented to the President in the entourage of the Prince of Wales. Greenshields is the son of a close friend of Roosevelt’s uncles James Dunwoody Bulloch and Irvine S. Bulloch. Bulloch is following news of Roosevelt’s planned trip to Africa, and is “in admiration of Edith [Kermit Carow Roosevelt]’s unselfishness and courage” in agreeing to be left alone for a year. Bulloch is glad Roosevelt is keeping his word to not run for another term as president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-21

Governor General of Canada Earl Grey reports the success of Quebec’s tercentenary celebrations to President Roosevelt. He thanks Roosevelt for sending Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks as representative of the United States and his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles as his personal representative. Grey comments on the lessons of nationalism found in J. Ellis Barker’s history of the Netherlands. Additionally, Grey is having a duplicate of a historical chair made for Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-11

Ambassador to Great Britain Reid has received photographs of President Roosevelt show jumping a horse, and will present them to King Edward VII when there are fewer dignitaries in town. Reid is amused by Roosevelt’s remark that he was not sure if his “encounter” with labor leaders and socialists was covered in the English papers – Reid describes the coverage as mostly in Roosevelt’s favor, adding his thoughts on the danger of anarchist ideas infiltrating labor movements in the United States and abroad. Reid discusses the similarity between the conflict between California and Japan and Newfoundland and the United States. Finally, Reid comments on the ongoing talks at the International Peace Conference at the Hague.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-07

Ambassador Reid provides President Roosevelt with a variety of pieces of information regarding the status of English politics. Douglas Robinson and Corinne Roosevelt Robinson met with many different members of the royal family. Reid recounts a scandal regarding Prime Minister Campbell-Bannerman, who nine months after his wife died, was engaged to her caretaker. Regardless, Campbell-Bannerman has surprised most in Parliament at his effectiveness as a leader. Reid is disappointed that Robert Bond and the Liberal Party agreed to govern the colony of Newfoundland. The U. S. government is not pleased with this agreement, and many of the other premiers disagree with the Liberal Party’s policy. In particular, Alfred Deakin, the premier of Australia, is an outspoken opponent to this policy. Additionally, many of the colonies want preference in the British markets, and may sacrifice free trade agreements to achieve this status. Next, H. H. Asquith proposed an income tax for Great Britain that will introduce a new, objectionable system of old age pensions. R. B. Haldane proposed a permanent standing army in the British colonies. Augustine Burrill’s proposed Irish Council Bill is becoming unpopular and he does not have many successes as a politician. Overall, the Liberal Party is disappointed by Campbell-Bannerman’s performance.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-24

Francis B. Loomis suggests to President Roosevelt that he meet with the leaders in Europe in Azores in order to discuss a variety of topics such as foreign trade and the future relationship with China. Loomis thinks Roosevelt could accomplish more by meeting in person with the leaders than in using existing diplomatic channels, and could save the Hague Conference. Loomis suggests that the American people will feel a sense of pride in knowing their country is a “world power.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-11

Ambassador Reid sends a newspaper clipping from a British newspaper to President Roosevelt, asking if he is correct in assuming that its description of Roosevelt’s telegram to Emperor Wilhelm is “unfair and unfounded.” Reid agrees to “look after” Harriet Shonts and her daughters when they arrive in England if the courts are open, but mentions that it can be difficult to accommodate American visitors when there are fewer courts being held. Reid also comments upon the recent Algeciras Conference.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-18

Dr. Lambert forwards to President Roosevelt a letter from Dr. William Crawford Gorgas which might interest him. Lambert notes that Anna Roosevelt Cowles saw his wolf pictures and spoke to Whitelaw Reid about them. Reid is anxious to show them to King Edward and the Prince of Wales. Lambert has not seen his own bear pictures yet, which were less successful, but will have them some day this week. He asks if Roosevelt, when he comes to Brooklyn, would like Lambert to meet him somewhere and bring some of his bear hunt pictures.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-05-22

This postcard depicts King George V’s yacht as he visited the international fleet of battleships collected to honor his coronation. Charles C. Myers has drawn an X on the postcard, and indicates that the king was standing approximately under that mark, although he could not discern exactly which person he was during the event. Myers states that his ship, the U.S.S. Delaware, was the only one present from the United States, but was among the most honored.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Here is the Kings Yacht as he visited the fleet of over 200 battleships from all nations of the world. This picture was taken from on board the U.S.S. Delaware as the Kings yacht passes. The King complimented the U.S.N. for having such ships as the Delaware which he acknowledged was the largest, most magnificent and efficient battleship in all the world. He also complimented the manner in which the Delaware outnumbered all the others in the way of illumination at night, the whole ship being outlined and covered with electric lights. The London Times had a lenghty [sic] article about the illumination of the great fleet of 200 battleships from all nations and referred to the Delaware as being the most magnificent display of them all and appearing as a great flowing fountain brilliantly illuminated.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

This postcard shows King George V and Queen Mary’s coronation procession returning to Buckingham Palace following the ceremonies at Westminster Abbey. Their royal carriage stands just outside the palace near the Victoria Memorial while monument and the Mall are lined with guards and crowds of onlookers.

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Creation Date

1911

Postcard showing a large neoclassical building with columns and a central clock tower, identified as the Town Hall of Portsmouth, England. A trolley car visible on the street in front of the building. Charles C. Myers notes that Portsmouth is on the south coast of England and is a principal naval rendezvous. Battleships from around the world gathered there during the coronation of King of Great Britain George V in June 1911.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’ own words, “Being in England in June 1911 to attend Coronation of King George, the first place of visiting was Portsmouth, a beautiful city of about 30,000 population about fours ride south from London. There is a large bay and channel between Portsmouth and The Isle of Wight on the west and in this channel was collected the battleships from all nations during the Coronation of King George. The king having been an Admiral in the English Navy he was greatly pleased at the coronation that the navies of all nations were represented and he paid special comment to the United States which was represented by the U.S.S. Delaware, the largest and most powerful as well as the most maginficent [sic] and efficient battleship in the whole world. At the coronation fleet review by King George he paid special tribute to the great Delaware which was about twice the size of any other battleship attending the coronation exercises.

Postcard commemorating the coronation of King George V. The postcard features a photograph of King George V surrounded by a semi-circle of stereotyped individuals and flags from Great Britain and their colonies. On the right side of the postcard, a list of important dates in the life of King George V and the Royal Coat of Arms are featured. Charles C. Myers notes the U.S.S. Delaware was the only ship to be in England at the time of the coronation, and the men from the ship were treated well. Myers also notes the cost of a penny stamp compared to a stamp in the United States.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “This is a souvenir card that the English people gave to the visitors from foreign countries during the coronation days of King George.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing King George V and Queen Mary in coronation regalia. Charles C. Myers notes this is how they appeared before traveling to attend the coronation ceremonies.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Their majesties King George and Queen Mary as they appeared on June 22 when ready to start for Westminster Abbey for coronation ceremonies.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing the royal carriage in which King George V and Queen Mary rode to the coronation ceremonies. Charles C. Myers notes the carriage, built in 1762 for $40,000, is drawn by eight cream colored horses.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “This is the Royal Carriage in which they rode in the procession. It was drawn by 8 cream colored horses. This carriage cost 40 thousand dollars.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing the royal carriage in the coronation procession with many people watching on both sides of the street. Buckingham Palace and the Queen Victoria Memorial can be seen in the background. Charles C. Myers notes the procession, heading to Westminster Abbey, occurred the morning of June 22, 1911.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “The Royal Carriage leaving Buckingham Palace at 10 A.M. on the morning of the coronation.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing the coronation procession as it passes through the Admiralty Arch in London, England. Many people watch the procession from both sides of the road. Charles C. Myers comments people from many different nations came to London for the coronation proceedings, which made the city crowded.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “This is the Royal Carriage as they come out of St. James Park into the city proper, passing thru Admiralty Arch.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing the royal procession passing under the Admiralty Arch on the way to the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary. Crowds of people can be seen on both sides of the street watching the procession.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Showing the same Arch in the distant [sic]. Not a very good picture, but does very well considering that the weather was bad and it wascloudy [sic] and raining all day.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing King George V and Queen Mary in the State Coach during the coronation procession through London. Charles C. Myers confirms the photograph is how the king and queen appeared during the procession.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “This is the Royal Crrriage [sic] at close range where you can plainly see the king and the queen seated within the carriage.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing the coronation procession approach Westminster Abbey. The Clock Tower is visible in the background. Many people have congregated on both sides of the street to watch the procession. Charles C. Myers notes Westminster Abbey is the location of the coronation ceremonies.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Here is the arrival of their majesties at the entrance to Westminster Abbey. You can see the clock tower of Parlament [sic] Bldg. in the distant [sic].”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

This postcard shows the royal carriage bearing King George V and Queen Mary away from Westminster Abbey. The streets are lined with guards, while viewing stands are crowded with onlookers.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “This shows the departure of the Royal Party from Westminster Abbey after the coronation ceremonies. The greater part of London–all open places, being crowded as you see here, regardless of the inclement weather.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection