Groton School

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say he will back him up in whatever decision he makes. He writes about Archie being elected into the Signet club at Harvard and Archie’s attitude toward college. Roosevelt makes reference to his writing for Metropolitan magazine and that he tells the American people what they need to hear even though they wish not to. He takes credit for President Wilson finally endorsing preparedness for war. Ethel had her appendix out, Ted’s wife Eleanor had a second boy, and Quentin wishes to be manager of the football team at Groton School.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1915-10-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit and Belle Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit and daughter-in-law Belle with updates on members of the family including Archie and his decisions regarding Harvard clubs. Roosevelt details his leisure time at Oyster Bay and says he will send a speech he made to the Knights of Columbus. Roosevelt says the public initially object to him and his opinions but then come around to his point of view. He criticizes President Wilson but says that Wilson has finally recognized that the country wants to be prepared for war.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1915-11-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt plans to take his Africa trip right after his presidency and he wants Kermit to go with him. Roosevelt cautions that Kermit must treat it as a college course and learn all he can. Roosevelt talks about riding and bird watching with Edith and Ted’s balloon ride. He closes by mentioning a three hour gallop with sixteen other people.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-04-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his last spring at the White House. Roosevelt is concerned about Archie’s performance at Groton School. Roosevelt complains about Senator Robert M. La Follette filibustering, and says that Congress has not given him all the legislation he should have had. He then lists what he has been able to accomplish. Roosevelt closes by saying that he has two good maps of Africa, and he and Kermit can crystallize the plans for their trip when they next meet.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-05-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his thoughts on the upcoming Republican National Convention. He is sure they can get Secretary of War Taft nominated but Roosevelt does worry about a “stampede” for himself. He encloses letters he wrote to be read at the Convention. Roosevelt also writes about spring in Washington, D.C., his thoughts on the guns to take on the African hunting trip, and what to do with Archie’s schooling at Groton.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-06-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit on his animosity towards Englishmen who will not fight in the war but will go watch football games. He says he has been writing about the war and strongly disapproves of President Wilson’s administration of foreign affairs. Roosevelt gives updates on Archie at Harvard, Quentin at Groton, and Ethel and her husband returning from a trip. Roosevelt hopes Belle is doing better in the heat and is enjoying his duty to be lazy and enjoy himself.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1914-12-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about Archie returning home and not looking well. He says they spent Thanksgiving Day with the Rixeys and Cooleys at the du Ponts who own President Madison’s house. Roosevelt talks about horse back riding with Jack Greenway and then gives updates on Ted and Quentin.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1907-11-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say he is glad Kermit liked his message. Roosevelt believes it will help Secretary of War Taft secure the Republican presidential nomination. He adds that he is sending Kermit a new edition of Outdoor Pastimes of an American Hunter because there is a picture of Kermit jumping a stone wall. Roosevelt talks about a visit from the Rector of Groton School and Mrs. Peabody. He closes by saying a Chippewa Indian gave him a council pipe and bead belt he will hold for Kermit.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-02-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt congratulates his son Kermit on his marks and says that Archie is not doing as well. Roosevelt talks about walking and swimming in Rock Creek Park and a visit from Douglas and Corinne Roosevelt Robinson, whose son Stewart Douglas Robinson was expelled from Harvard.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-02-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say the family eagerly awaited letters from him and Archie from school. The Oyster Bay home is being closed up and Anna Roosevelt Cowles visited. Roosevelt said he finished his speeches for his Mississippi River trip and almost finished his message to Congress.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1907-09-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit and describes the cold spring in Washington. He mentions riding with Edith and Ted and hopes Archie can catch up with his schoolwork and attend Groton the next year. He closes with a story about Quentin jumping the horse Roswell.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1907-04-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to congratulate him on being third in his class at Groton School that month. Roosevelt also updates Kermit on his work, the state of the country, and the gardens at the White House. Roosevelt closes by saying he and Edith enjoyed Seymour Blair’s poems in the last Grotonian.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1907-05-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say his travel plans to Harvard and Groton have leaked out, and mentions an article he read. Roosevelt also describes going for horseback rides through the snow, as well as a gift some sailors from the Louisiana gave to Mother. He adds that San Francisco mayor Eugene Schmitz and the school board have arrived to discuss letting Japanese children into their schools. Kermit appears to have taken notes on the back of the envelope.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1907-02-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt has received a letter from Dean Wells at Groton School protesting against Kermit trying to complete two years in one at home before going to Harvard. Roosevelt says he agrees but wrote to Dean Wells that he gave his permission anyway. Roosevelt adds that he went to Mount Vernon and will ride his new mare the next day with Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-05-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say he is happy with his marks this month but still does not feel he should be leaving Groton School before his sixth year as Ted did. Roosevelt is allowing it because he does not want Kermit to feel he is favoring Ted over Kermit, but Roosevelt has already told Archie that Archie will do six years. Roosevelt says Edith hurt her leg riding, and developed an abscess and is in a wheelchair. Roosevelt’s rate bill went through the Senate and he now turns his attention to the fight over the canal.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-05-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt awaits Kermit’s decision whether to stay at Groton School for his final year. Roosevelt, Edith, and Ethel sailed down to Hampton Roads for Decoration Day. Roosevelt gave a speech at Hampton Institute. Roosevelt also mentions riding the new horse and the slow pace of Congress, and urges Kermit to read Thomas Carlyle.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-06-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt are very pleased that Kermit decided to stay at Groton for his sixth year.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-06-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to convey a note the Rector at Groton School sent about Kermit’s decision to remain there for his last year. Roosevelt also discusses his opinion of the meat packers. He closes with his opinion of how his legislation will do in Congress and what he feels will be the public perception of him.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-06-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit telling him to study hard and play football as well. Roosevelt met with the Rector and is sorry that the Rector and Kermit did not hit it off. Roosevelt feels the next years of his presidency will be difficult and hopes to have a couple days to relax with Edith before heading back to Washington. He ends by updating events with Archie and Quentin.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1905-09-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say that he is glad Ted visited Kermit at Groton, and, if Kermit works hard, he can finish school at home next year. Roosevelt says he is having problems with the Panama Canal because of clashes between Secretary of War Taft and Chairman Shonts. Massachusetts is going crazy over the tariff as well. Roosevelt says he is getting plenty of tennis, rides, and scrambling walks. He adds that Edith has been reading a lot to Archie and Quentin and the next day African hunter Frederick Selous is visiting.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1905-11-12