Kipling, Rudyard, 1865-1936

Elizabeth E. Roosevelt reminds readers that the Cove Neck peninsula on Long Island, New York, was not the exclusive domain of Theodore Roosevelt and his family. She describes the many Roosevelt families who had estates in the area, and she highlights the frequent gatherings of these clans and the entertainments they enjoyed such as tennis, swimming, and sailing. Roosevelt provides biographical snapshots of some of these family members, including the children of Theodore Roosevelt, and she notes which family members made their homes in the same area where they were raised, including the president’s sons, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., and Archibald Roosevelt, and his daughter Ethel Roosevelt Derby. 

Two photographs of Roosevelt cousins and two photographs of sailing ships supplement the text.

Kathleen Dalton explores “a little known side of” Theodore Roosevelt: his love of telling stories. Dalton identifies ghost stories, animal and hunting stories, tales from his days as a cowboy, and stories involving the Rough Riders as some of Roosevelt’s favorite topics. She also says that he liked to talk about his own adventures, such as hiking in Rock Creek Park, or discussing his political friends and foes, and she says that Roosevelt’s favorite audience for his stories was his children. Dalton identifies a number of people who were subjects of Roosevelt’s tales or who, like Rudyard Kipling, were captivated by listening to his stories.

Two photographs of Roosevelt, and an illustration of him telling a camp fire story to children, supplement the article which also has two text boxes with information about the Theodore Roosevelt Association.

This edition of “News and Notes” opens with a report on the 1989 Theodore Roosevelt Public Speaking Contest for the New York Public Schools. It highlights the growth of the program, notes the involvement of members of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA), and lists the judges and administrators of the annual contest. R. W. Apple, Jr. of the New York Times, compares President George Bush with President Theodore Roosevelt and writes that the two men had some similarities, such as serving in wartime, but that Bush is less flamboyant than Roosevelt. The column notes that Bush had Roosevelt’s portrait placed in the White House Cabinet Room and his bust placed in the Oval Office.

The column reprints letters from John A. Gable and Theodore R. Kupferman from the TRA leadership and lists various speaking engagements undertaken by Gable. A section examines the history of vice presidents running for the presidency after assuming the office and notes that Roosevelt was the first to be elected after the death of the president under whom he served. The column closes with a reminder for TRA members to purchase a new edition of the Theodore Roosevelt Cyclopedia and to purchase past issues of the TRA Journal on microfiche.

Photographs of the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site, TRA President Theodore R. Kupferman, and two of Roosevelt on horseback appear in the column along with an illustration of both sides of the TRA medallion.

Obituary of Archibald “Archie” B. Roosevelt, son of Theodore Roosevelt, written by his cousin P. James Roosevelt. He discusses Archibald’s childhood antics in the White House with his brother Quentin and his education at various schools. He details his service in both world wars and how he earned his military decorations, and he examines Archibald’s career in finance in New York and Florida and discusses his charitable and volunteer work, especially in conservation, most notably with the Boone & Crockett Club. The obituary includes a poem written by Archibald, “Canada Geese.”

Four photographs of Archibald Roosevelt accompany the obituary: one shows him as a young man; another shows him and his brother Quentin training for service in World War I; another shows him and his wife Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt on horseback; and the last one shows him holding one of his father’s hunting rifles.

A listing of the officers of the Theodore Roosevelt Association and of the members of its executive, finance, and Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace committees is on the second page of the obituary.

Notice about the dedication of the Richards-Theodore Roosevelt Room at the Mugar Memorial Library at Boston University in May 1978. The room will house an extensive Theodore Roosevelt Collection donated by Paul C. Richards. The notice lists the speakers and gives a brief synopsis of their remarks. It provides background on Richards, describes the contents of the collection, and quotes from Richards’s remarks.

Photographs of the six speakers at the dedication services and of the display cases housing the collection accompany the notice.

Transcript of a speech given by George Otto Trevelyan at a bookseller’s dinner. Trevelyan discusses many matters relating to bookselling, book buying, and publishing. He also discusses his reminiscences with various literary figures and reflects on the relationship between literature and politics.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-17

In his article for Ladies’ Home Journal, Theodore Roosevelt describes the benefits of reading and provides advice on how to get people of any age interested in reading “serious literature.” Roosevelt elaborates on his reading habits and book selection processes, which stem from both his current mood and educational desires.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

1915-04

Kermit Roosevelt describes his work for the railroad and says he is enjoying it. He expresses his sympathy at the death of Robert Harry Munro Ferguson’s sister. Roosevelt acknowledges receiving a Rudyard Kipling book.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1913-01-25

Kermit Roosevelt describes his travels in Europe and his acquaintances, including Francois Millet, son of painter Jean Francois Millet, and Rudyard Kipling. He is having a grand summer.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1911-09-19

This booklet includes Theodore Roosevelt’s speech before the National Convention of the Progressive Party in Chicago, as well as “Thirty-three notable achievements of the Roosevelt Administration” and eight policies “recommended by Mr. Roosevelt.”

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1912-08-06

This pamphlet advertises the 1912 candidacies of Theodore Roosevelt and Hiram Johnson, as well as the platform of the Progressive Party. Emphasizing Theodore Roosevelt’s past success and popularity as president, the pamphlet outlines some of the Progressive Party’s beliefs–particularly with regards to immigrants and immigration–and compares them to those of the Republican and Democratic parties. It also includes a substantial excerpt from Woodrow Wilson’s American People’s History as an example of Wilson’s views on race and immigration. The pamphlet closes by reminding everyone of their duty to vote, and urges them to vote for Roosevelt and Johnson.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1912

1912 campaign poster with full length black and white photograph of Bull Moose party presidential candidate Theodore Roosevelt and vice-presidential candidate Hiram Johnson. At the bottom of the poster is a quote from Rudyard Kipling.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1912

McClure’s Magazine article “Greatheart,” memorializing Theodore Roosevelt and recounting his commitment to the armed forces. Above the article is a black and white portrait photograph of Theodore Roosevelt done by Underwood and Underwood.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1919-03

Theodore Roosevelt is enjoying spending time with Ethel Roosevelt Derby’s children, Richard Derby, Jr., and Edith Roosevelt Derby. He received an interesting letter from Rudyard Kipling, who had hosted Kermit and Belle Roosevelt. Kermit received a captaincy from the British and Roosevelt is proud of his family’s contribution to the war effort.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-08-23

The people of Nairobi remind Theodore Roosevelt of Rudyard Kipling’s stories, but locals do not appreciate the comparison. Kermit Roosevelt has been a great comfort and Roosevelt is very proud of him. Kermit has been taking part in race week but always on poor horses. Roosevelt describes some of the local people, including the “warlike Masai” and women “painted with vermillion and ochre.” He was glad to hear that the family was enjoying the European trip and does not want Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt to “economize in foolish ways.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1909-08-01

Theodore Roosevelt’s trip has reminded him of Rudyard Kipling’s works, especially with all of the young Englishmen aboard the ship. Kermit Roosevelt is a great traveling companion and has made many friends. They are both getting along with the naturalists and Roosevelt believes that they will make the trip a scientific success. Everyone has been kind, and Roosevelt is enjoying the “brief aftermath of Presidential glory.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1909-04-14

Theodore Roosevelt lists his recent dinner guests for sister Anna Roosevelt. He is going to take the children for their weekly “scramble” up Rock Creek. He has been working very hard in the office and on his books.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-04-07

Theodore Roosevelt tells his sister Anna Roosevelt he has been to Philadelphia to examine the Post Office and Internal Revenue Service. He also attended a farewell dinner for Bellamy Storer where he conversed with Rudyard Kipling and dined with many others as well.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-03-10

Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna Roosevelt updating her on the status of things in Washington. The children are now well and he and wife Edith have been doing quite a bit of socializing. Roosevelt’s writing is making “laboriously painful progress” and he had to go to Philadelphia on an investigation. He describes Rudyard Kipling who dined with them.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1893-04-01

Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit Roosevelt about mourning Quentin Roosevelt and how upset he is that Flora Payne Whitney was not able to go to Europe and marry him before he died. Roosevelt tells Kermit to write to Rudyard Kipling and that he will not give him any advice on machine guns or tanks because he trusts Kermit’s judgment. He is upset to have to sit and watch everything happen because he is too old to help.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-08-18