Rayburn, Sam, 1882-1961

Obituary of Alice Roosevelt Longworth, the first born and last to die of Theodore Roosevelt’s children. The obituary details her celebrity status during her father’s presidency, her wedding to Congressman Nicholas Longworth, and his career in the House of Representatives. The notice also examines Alice Longworth’s decades long position as a Washington, D.C. power broker and socialite, and it notes her friendship with presidents, journalists, and celebrities. Her work in compiling an anthology of American poetry, her relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt, and her efforts to memorialize her father are also covered. The obituary notes her love of reading, acerbic wit, and sense of humor.

Four photographs accompany the article: the first shows Alice in 1904; the second shows the entire Roosevelt family, Theodore and Edith Roosevelt and all of their children and Alice’s husband, Nicholas Longworth, at the White House; the third shows Alice with her sister Ethel Derby and her brother Archibald Roosevelt at Theodore Roosevelt Island in Washington, D.C.; and the fourth is of Alice late in life.

A listing of the officers of the Theodore Roosevelt Association and the members of its executive, finance, and Theodore Roosevelt birthplace committees is included in the article.

Father’s Day cartoon shows President Franklin D. Roosevelt dreaming that he has received his dearest wishes. Chief Justice Harlan Fiske Stone, holding a sheaf of Supreme Court decisions, says, “Won’t he be tickled to death with these?” Rival labor leaders William Green and Philip Murray embrace. Federal Petroleum Coordinator Harold L. Ickes holds a sign reading, “Chief, we’ve got oil and gas to burn!” Office of Production Management Chief William S. Knudsen holds an armful of planes, saying, “Oh, boy! Is Adolf anxious.” Senate Majority Leader Alben William Barkley and Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn hold “Votes to Do What We Please.” Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson holds a sack labeled “Greatest Army Ever Assembled,” while Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox holds ships labeled “The Navy Theodore Roosevelt Dreamed About.” As the threat of war in Europe loomed, Roosevelt struggled to mount a massive national defense production effort despite adverse court decisions, labor unrest, an unruly Congress, and failure to reach production targets.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1941-06-15