Your TR Source
Scrapbook of materials related to Theodore Roosevelt’s life between 1876 and 1881, including his time at Harvard University and the 1881 New York state election, specifically focused on the New York State Assembly.
1876-1881
President Roosevelt asks if “Brother Unknown” is “Brother Mifflin”; he did not expect to come across a Porcellian Club brother at the special edition exhibition and is now looking forward to it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-26
President Roosevelt tells his son Theodore Roosevelt that William Appleton’s letter was “bully,” and he was surprised that Appleton called the Porcellian Club “the best club in college.” The President repeatedly advises Ted not to “lose touch with the rest of your schoolmates” now that he is a member of the Porcellian Club. Roosevelt hopes he can attend one of “the Porc” dinners soon, and closes by noting that a certain poem by Rudyard Kipling “has always been one of my favorites.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-07
George H. Mifflin says he never expected to see the day that a “Porc Brother” would be the President of the United States. The two were members of Harvard’s Porcellian Club together.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-29
Owen Wister congratulates his friend President Roosevelt on his son, Theodore Roosevelt, joining the Porcellian Club at Harvard University. Wister considers his ten year association with the club while an undergraduate and in law school as having been good for his character. Although Wister recalls some who wasted their time in the club, he does not believe members drink as much as they previously did. Wister wishes he could pass some wisdom on to the younger Roosevelt, and hopes to visit him at school soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-19
Copy of a letter in which Theodore Roosevelt tells his sister Anna about being turned out of Sunday School for being a Presbyterian. He states that Corinne Roosevelt is going out a lot and reports on his social activities at Harvard. This copy was written in an unknown hand.
1880-01-18
Theodore Roosevelt writes from Harvard to his mother to request his hat. He reports that he is doing well in his classes, and complains about having his Sunday School class taken from him. He says he will go to Chestnut Hill to see the girls, referring to his future wife Alice Hathaway Lee.
1879-01-11
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister about his social activities over the weekend, including spending Sunday with Minot Weld and walking with several ladies at Dick Saltonstall’s. He also mentions his heavy study schedule, the Porcellian Club, and sends his regards to those at home.
1878-11-10
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna about staying with Minot Weld’s family and saying how everyone is so fond of her. He also says that he would not have had a social life if it were not for her. Roosevelt is “dumbfounded” at Jack’s engagement and is now formally a member of the Porcellian Club.
1878-11-10
Theodore Roosevelt tells his sister Anna about travels he has planned to New York. He is anxious to see how a cup he designed for the Porcellian Club will turn out. He also tells her how his studies have been difficult, but he is ranked high in his class.
1879-10-13
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Archibald Roosevelt regarding the Porcellian elections. He suggests not discussing the matter with anyone until the end of the year and then they will have a “war talk” if Archibald decides to enter another club. Roosevelt will be attending a Harvard Overseers meeting on January 9. There will be plenty of room at Sagamore Hill for Archibald and any friends he wants to bring on New Year’s Day. Roosevelt has been hired to write for Metropolitan Magazine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-08
William Loeb encloses President Roosevelt’s check to reimburse the bill owed by his son Ted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-13
President Roosevelt asks Thomas N. Perkins to send along his gratitude to Richard Walden Hale for the first-class dinner. He is grateful to see Ted taken into the Porcellian Club.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-27
President Roosevelt tells Clarence L. Hay that he would like to meet with him for lunch or dinner when Hay visits for the holidays to discuss an issue he feels “very strongly” about. Roosevelt desires that members of the Porcellian club explore external college activities unrelated to the club alone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-25
President Roosevelt asks William Sturgis Bigelow to visit some bookstores he had mentioned, perhaps with George H. Mifflin of Houghton, Mifflin and Company.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-05
President Roosevelt tells Clara Louise Stone Hay he was was pleased to see her son Clarence L. Hay. Roosevelt will return most of her deceased husband’s, Secretary of State John Hay’s, letters to her, and send a few to Henry Adams.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-02
President Roosevelt writes his son Ted Roosevelt at Harvard, and is pleased about news related to the school’s Porcellian and Dickey clubs. The President asks Ted to give his regards to a number of his fellow classmates, and encourages his son not to neglect his studies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-01
President Roosevelt is pleased to hear that his son, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., has been elected to the Porcellian Club despite Ted never writing to his father about it himself.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-27
President Roosevelt was concerned to hear about the relapse of Archibald Hopkins’s son, and asks Hopkins to “give the fine young fellow the warmest regards from his brother Porc. man.” Roosevelt additionally thanks Hopkins for sending him the description of a wolf hunt, which he enjoyed. He thought the story came from a different source.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-21
President Roosevelt congratulates Harvard student and Porcellian Club member Oliver D. Filley on a recent victory of the Harvard Crew team. He promises to help in any way he can with regards to England, but tells Filley that he needs to tell him whom to write to.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-14