Roosevelt, Theodore, 1887-1944

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Commissioner Roosevelt is unsure when he can leave due to work commitments and a scheduled meeting with President Harrison regarding the extension of the classified service. He cannot accept Rachel Sherman Thorndike’s invitation as he must have lunch with Representative Henry Cabot Lodge and dinner with Francis C. Lowell. However, he will make sure to see Thorndike. Roosevelt would love to see Ted Roosevelt and wishes that Archie were better.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1894

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

“The Most Wise Bavian,” meaning Kermit Roosevelt, is hunting along the coast by himself. Theodore Roosevelt is very proud of Kermit and is anxious to hear how Ted Roosevelt is doing. He has been busy in Nairobi with lunch and dinners every day, foreshadowing what his time in Europe will be like. He looks forward to returning to safari and is pleased that it is the last stage of the trip.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1909-12-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

Theodore Roosevelt and Kermit Roosevelt are on the last leg of the safari and Roosevelt is looking forward to the end. He was comforted by being able to write to Ethel Roosevelt. The Kampala and Nyanza lake area is beautiful and interesting. A local leader reminds Kermit of Umslopogaas, H. Rider Haggard’s Zulu hero. Roosevelt doubts he will be able to write again until reaching Cairo, Egypt.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1909-12-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt

After a trip to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Theodore Roosevelt will have five days off and then a “deluge of travel and dust and howling and irritated fatigue until after the election.” Aunt Emily Tyler Carow has returned and is well. Alice Roosevelt Longworth is having a difficult time due to the political situation. She would feel better if her husband, Representative Longworth, were “strong for Taft.” Roosevelt provides brief updates on Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and Ethel Roosevelt’s brothers.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1912-08-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

Theodore Roosevelt is proud that Ethel Roosevelt Derby and Richard Derby will be doing their part in “this great world tragedy.” He is also anxious and wants Ethel to return as soon as her duty will allow. Richard Derby, Jr., is the “dearest baby,” and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is doing well. Roosevelt met with the “Belgian peace people” who were pleased with his writings about the war.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1914-10-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Richard Derby

Theodore Roosevelt is proud of the bride and groom. He describes Ethel Roosevelt and Richard Derby’s wedding as the “nicest and most satisfying marriage.” Roosevelt sent the Tucker children two “treasures.” Ted Roosevelt stayed overnight on Saturday but Eleanor Butler Roosevelt, exhausted from the wedding and taking care of Grace Green Roosevelt, had to remain at home.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1913-04-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Richard Derby

Theodore Roosevelt appreciates Richard Derby’s letter, which provided the first full information on Archibald Roosevelt’s condition. Everyone is very anxious as it appears that General Pershing has agreed to assist the Allied generals, which will place Richard, Ted Roosevelt, and Quentin Roosevelt at the front. Roosevelt is proud of their service and would not want them anywhere else. Spending time with Ethel Roosevelt Derby and the children over the winter has meant a great deal to Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-04-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Richard Derby

Ethel Roosevelt Derby and her children will be leaving Sagamore Hill in a few days, and Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed spending time with them. Everyone enjoys receiving Richard Derby’s letters as they are the most consistent source of overseas information. Roosevelt is proud of the work of the 1st and 2nd divisions and is glad they have crossed the Rhine River. He hopes that everyone will be brought home as soon as peace is assured.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-12-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Richard Derby

Archibald Roosevelt is recovering and appears well. He might be able to return to active service in the spring. Archie believes that Richard Derby takes too many chances, and at his request, Theodore Roosevelt asks Derby to avoid unnecessary risks and not to jeopardize his life. Douglas Robinson has passed away but Roosevelt’s grief has been blunted with so many young people losing their lives in the war. William Sheffield Cowles has sailed to join the Marines and may be in Derby’s division.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-09-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Sarah Bancroft Leavitt

Theodore Roosevelt is pleased to hear from Sarah Bancroft Leavitt. Archibald Roosevelt is recovering from his wounds and is only concerned about returning to the front. Archie was awarded the French Croix de guerre and Kermit Roosevelt received the British Military Cross. Kermit has also been transferred to the American military as a captain of artillery. Ted Roosevelt and Quentin Roosevelt are fighting in France. Richard Derby is serving with the 2nd Division in France.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-06-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William S. Cowles

Commissioner Roosevelt appreciates Captain Cowles’s letter to Ted Roosevelt and has been enjoying the Hakluyt volumes. He is interested in the Venezuelan crisis and does not want the government to back down. If there is a war with Great Britain, Roosevelt intends to take part.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-12-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethel Roosevelt Derby

President Roosevelt updates Ethel Roosevelt on recent family news, particularly the activities of her brothers. He went on a “scramble” with the officers of the General Staff and War College. They did not travel fast but everyone made a gallant effort. Roosevelt understands Ethel’s annoyance at the “old bores” always talking to her about her father’s career. He compares her complaint to General Sherman loathing the song “Marching Through Georgia.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-11-08

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

President Roosevelt details a pleasant, busy Christmas Day spent with many family members and friends.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1907-12-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

President Roosevelt is pleased with the results of the convention and with how Henry Cabot Lodge performed; however, he is already looking forward to his trip to Africa once he leaves office. Consistent with his approach to life in general, Roosevelt does not want to simply go along for the ride. Rather, he wants it to be a scientific trip. His sons are back in Washington, and Theodore Roosevelt Jr. is happy to be out of school and working.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-06-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

President Roosevelt is worried about Anna Roosevelt Cowles’s son, William Sheffield Cowles, Jr., who is unexpectedly not well. Roosevelt wants her to tell young Sheffield about a camping trip Roosevelt took with his sons and nine other boys, which he describes in detail.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1904-07-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

President Roosevelt has appointed Admiral George Converse and tells of taking Secretaries Morton and Moody out to Rock Creek for a strenuous walk that both men underestimated. Roosevelt is enamored with Washington, D.C., and with his wife Edith Roosevelt, who delights in an unusual variety of activities there. As the election approaches, Roosevelt reflects on his legacy and the importance of his work in office and in life.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1904-07-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

President Roosevelt is frustrated with Attorney General Moody for speaking to Anna Roosevelt Cowles after already addressing a particular situation with him. Roosevelt hopes that Moody and Secretary of the Navy Morton do not discuss it further on their own and he has written to each to explain this. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. will study with a tutor rather than go back to Groton so that he can enter Harvard next year.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1904-08-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Assistant Secretary Roosevelt writes about Edith Roosevelt’s critical condition and recent surgery; while she is in great pain, the doctors are optimistic about her recovery. Roosevelt discourages Anna Roosevelt Cowles from visiting, as there are many family friends present and there is little she could do for Edith.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1898

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Richard W. Nickerson

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Richard Nickerson for his letter and explains how much his son Ted enjoyed it as well.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1912-07-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt thanks Anna Roosevelt Cowles for the book and shares details about his Christmas with his family. The vase for Anna Cabot Mills Davis Lodge was exactly as he wished.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897