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Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna that he has done very well on some of his examinations, but he is having a hard time studying because he is leading such a wonderful life. He writes Alice Hathaway Lee wants to get married in the fall but he will probably have to battle her parents over it.
1880-03-01
A high society auction is being conducted in a circus-like atmosphere where spouses are unloading their unwanted partners for various reasons to the highest bidder. On the left, a lecherous old man, wearing top hat and tails, is peering at a young woman and her daughter. The woman wears a leash which is held by her smug, well-dressed owner. On the right, in a small crowd, a man appears to be offering a bid. Other commodities are available for inspection in little stalls in the background. Caption: The matrimonial mart.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1905-01-04
A clerk in an office talks to his employer. Caption: Clerk — I want more salary, sir, because I am going to get married! / Employer — But I don’t believe in “unions” raising the price of labor.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1903-12-16
Thomas Collier Platt, with his young bride, passes through the gates to the “Oldboys’ Hymeneal Paradise” where they are greeted by a “Reception Committee” of several old men labeled “Depew, Potter, Dewey, Flagler, [and] Woodford” and their young wives.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1903-10-28
A “real American girl” sails a small boat around rocks that look like crowns of royalty in the “Sea of Matrimony” where boats labeled “American Fortunes” have shipwrecked. Caption: Puck — The real American girl is too clever to be wrecked here.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1903-07-15
Cupids on horseback lasso attractive young couples and herd them toward the “Matrimonial Corral” in the background.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1903-09-09
A young woman talks with her father about the promises her boyfriend has made. Caption: Ethel — He has promised to give me every dollar he earns! / Papa — Better make him promise to give you every dollar he gets. He has a political job, you know!
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1903-10-21
Scrapbook contains photographs and ephemera from the Roosevelt and Alexander families. It particularly focuses on the marriage and early married life of Eleanor Butler Roosevelt and Theodore Roosevelt Jr. Other subjects touched on include travel to Yellowstone National Park and Europe, art, fashion, high society, and World War I. The scrapbook ranges from 1908 to roughly 1917. Most of the photographs and documents also have their own individual records in the digital library.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1908-1917
Alfonso XIII, the young King of Spain, holds on to the robe of Pope Leo XIII. His mother, María Cristina, stands next to him on the viewing stand as young women are presented to him as potential brides. Caption: Little Alfonso is next in line to have a wife picked out for him.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1902-09-10
An attractive young woman talks to a handsome young man at the theater. They are discussing the benefits of marriage. Caption: Miss Blossom — But a married man always has some one to share his sorrows, you know! / Jack Bachelor — Not always; – every married man can’t afford to keep a valet and a butler.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1902-04-02
A pensive bachelor sits in front of a fireplace on Christmas Eve. The figure of Cupid stands before an open suitcase, its contents strewn about the floor, as a butler nervously attends to the clothes. The bachelor’s distress arises from his holiday solitude.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1900-12-12
Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to hear from Sir Alfred E. Pease and learn of his recent marriage. He describes the attempt on his life as a “mere trifle” compared to Pease’s hunting experiences. Roosevelt made a “good fight” during the presidential election and has no regrets. Governor Woodrow Wilson could not be defeated as his candidacy “satisfied all sections of the Democratic Party” but President William H. Taft was beaten.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-08
Theodore Roosevelt is happy to hear about his nephew Hall Roosevelt’s engagement, and sends his best wishes to the bride, Margaret Richardson, and her father, Maurice H. Richardson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-10
Theodore Roosevelt thanks William S. Cowles for the congratulations over his new grandchild. Roosevelt is also glad that Cowles liked the “Dante article,” as well as John Ledge getting married.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-02
Theodore Roosevelt sympathizes with Anthony J. Gavin at feeling a little melancholy at his daughter’s departure because of her marriage, but says it would be worse if she did not. He sends her his best wishes, along with one of his books.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-05
Theodore Roosevelt is greatly concerned by the contents of Mabel Alexander Needham’s letter, just as he was “shocked and distressed” to learn of her marital problems on his return from Africa. Roosevelt informs Needham that it would be difficult for him to refuse to work professionally with a man based solely on accusations made concerning that man’s private affairs unless Roosevelt took it upon himself to investigate those affairs personally. Roosevelt assures Needham that he will carefully consider what she has written.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-05
Theodore Roosevelt hopes that Louise Eustis Hitchcock gets well soon. He mentions the severeness of an earlier illness of Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-05-05
Theodore Roosevelt congratulates Fitzhugh Lee on his marriage and discusses what men might be ready to go if Roosevelt is allowed to raise a cavalry to fight in World War I. He invites Lee to visit before his leave ends.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-13
President Roosevelt tells Joseph Bucklin Bishop that he joins George W. Goethals and the rest of the Isthmian Canal Commission in their enthusiasm over Harry H. Rousseau’s marriage. He will not punish Rousseau for marrying Gladys Fargo Rousseau against her parents’ wishes and instead wishes to promote him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-17
President Roosevelt congratulates Alexander G. Russell on his engagement to Sarah Barry Calkin and looks forward to meeting her.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-10