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Diary of Theodore Roosevelt for the year 1881. Roosevelt lives in New York City with Alice Lee Roosevelt and attends Columbia Law School. Major events for the year are a summer trip through Europe and Roosevelt’s election to the New York State Assembly from the 21st district. The diary concludes with notes on Roosevelt’s personal finances.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1881
Theodore Roosevelt announces the birth of his daughter, Alice Roosevelt. Alice Lee Roosevelt is “only fairly well.”
1884-02-14
Theodore Roosevelt announces his engagement to Alice Lee.
1880-02-11
Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to receive Martha Bulloch Roosevelt’s letter and is glad that they will be spending the winter together. He will try and be a good son to make up for Elliott Roosevelt’s absence. Roosevelt is marrying Alice Lee in six days.
1880-10-21
Theodore Roosevelt has been living a “perfect dream” with Alice Lee Roosevelt. The house and servants are “just perfection.” He describes a relaxed, average day during their honeymoon.
1880-10-31
Theodore Roosevelt is enjoying the “loveliest honeymoon imaginable.” They are spending their time driving, walking, playing tennis, and reading aloud.
1880-11-04
Theodore Roosevelt describes a day trip across the Kerry countryside with Alice Lee Roosevelt. Ireland is beautiful but has a “terrible understratum of wretchedness.” He personally witnessed this in the form of a man passed out from hunger. The man was revived, fed, and sent on his way with ten shillings.
1881-05-24
The trip through Switzerland has been happy, and the mountaineering has put Theodore Roosevelt in “splendid condition.” Alice Lee Roosevelt was less enthusiastic about traveling by mule. They visited Geneva and Basel. Strasbourg Cathedral has been a highlight, especially the cathedral’s astronomical clock. Traveling has been comfortable, and nothing has been lost.
1881-08-12
Theodore Roosevelt and Alice Lee Roosevelt are having a splendid time in Liverpool, England. Irvine S. Bulloch, Roosevelt’s uncle, is the “jolliest, kindest host.” Roosevelt has been discussing naval history with his other uncle, “the blessed old sea-captain” James Dunwody Bulloch. He has convinced him to publish a work regarding “naval operations abroad” during the American Civil War. Bulloch was a Confederate agent in Great Britain and managed these operations. Roosevelt really enjoys speaking with his uncle, even though had Roosevelt been of age during the war he would have served the Union.
1881-09-14
Theodore Roosevelt reviews the Fourth of July festivities that took place with the Lee family at Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. There were fireworks, tennis, and Roosevelt “played bear” with the children. He will be leaving for home on Saturday and intends to study law in “John’s office” a few days a week.
1882-07-05
Theodore Roosevelt and Alice Lee Roosevelt miss Martha Bulloch Roosevelt and want her to visit as often as she wants to come. Roosevelt is anxious to discuss the new addition to the family, Anna Hall, who will be marrying Elliott Roosevelt. He thinks it is great that Elliott is to “marry and settle down with a definite purpose in life.” Roosevelt sends his love to Corinne Roosevelt Robinson and her young son, Theodore Douglas Robinson.
1883-07-08
Memorial book on the deaths of Theodore Roosevelt’s first wife and of his mother, which includes the funeral service, tributes and news reports. This book was privately printed by G. P. Putnam’s Sons.
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
1884
Assemblyman Roosevelt is unaware where a sketch of his life could be found. He provides a brief outline of his life with particular emphasis on his political activities.
1884-05-01
Theodore Roosevelt summarizes his recent socializing, including visits to the Guilds, Bacons, and Lees. He has an equally busy social schedule, plus studying and society work, for the upcoming week.
1879-10-20
Theodore Roosevelt thanks his mother for writing to him so regularly. He finished his exams and is afraid that his romantic pursuit of Alice Lee was “tough” on his studies. Roosevelt saw Alice twice last week and will not be able to see her again for several days. The ring has arrived safely.
1880-02-08
Theodore Roosevelt and Elliott Roosevelt are on a hunting trip through Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. The accommodations have been rough but the hunting has been good. Elliott is the “perfection of a traveling companion.”
1880-08-22
Theodore Roosevelt and Alice Lee Roosevelt are enjoying their honeymoon. Roosevelt appreciated the Doree gallery but was “more amused than pleased” with the Aesthetes exhibits at the Grosvenor Gallery. Crossing the Irish and English Channels went well, and Alice was not even seasick. Getting a hat box through customs was difficult, but Roosevelt’s revolver and flask passed through easily.
1881-06-13
Alice Lee Roosevelt was seasick throughout the passage to Ireland. Theodore Roosevelt did his best to care for her but the passage was “as gay as a funeral.” They are more comfortable on land and enjoyed a trip to Blarney Castle.
1881-05-22
Vice President Roosevelt confirms that he will visit. Edith Roosevelt is taking care of Quentin Roosevelt, who is not doing well.
1901-08-28
Plans for Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt’s upcoming visit to the Cowles’s house may change because Anna Roosevelt Cowles might have to travel to see her husband. Roosevelt is concerned about Bob’s health.
1897