Selous, Frederick Courteney, 1851-1917

Henry B. Runnalls writes to Theodore Roosevelt about Alaska. From 1897 to 1898, Runnalls was in charge of the postal service of Skagway, Alaska, and worked as a surveyor of the White Pass. Based on his time in the state, Runnalls believes that measures must be taken to ensure the conservation of Alaska’s forests and fisheries. Alaska’s natural resources are an essential asset to the entire United States, and Runnalls is concerned about the “irresponsible class of men” in the state who are attempting to profit from it. He discusses a number of wealthy families and companies vying for control of the land for its coal, timber, and copper riches — and suggests some may not be operating within the law. Runnalls cautions Roosevelt that these “present inhabitants” should not gain control of the state’s government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-25

W. P. Pycraft thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his sharp criticism of Abbott Thayer’s book on animal coloration, calling it a public service. He discusses his own work on birds, Darwinian views, and a past attempt to send Roosevelt a copy. Pycraft expresses a desire to meet again and recalls their prior meeting at the museum.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-13

Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he may ask her to entertain the famous hunter Frederick Courteney Selous in November. Roosevelt does not know when he will have time to visit the Bryces and will be going on the USS Dolphin (PG-24).

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-08-31

Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit and is concerned he has not been getting his letters so that he does not know he has been appointed a captain of artillery and must report to Madrid, Spain. He says Flora Payne Whitney has permission from her father to go to Europe and marry Quentin Roosevelt and Quentin is upset there are still no planes to fly over France. Roosevelt reports that Major Wadsworth is dead and the son of his friend Frederick Courteney Selous was killed.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-05-12

Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say he has received a letter from his friend Frederick Selous and he feels sorry for him being so unhappy. Roosevelt says that, unlike him, Selous cannot be happy just retiring to his home. He says that he is ready to send Kermit’s article “The sheep of the desert” to some publishers. Roosevelt gives updates on the family: Archie shot a crow, Quentin must have his tonsils out, and Ethel had Billy Appleton over.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1911-09-11

President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to update him on plans for their trip to Africa and encloses letters from Frederick Selous, Edward Buxton, and Reginald Wingate. He talks of celebrating Ted’s birthday and spending time talking with him. He closes by saying Archie is back at school and Sagamore is being closed up for the season.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-09-14

President Roosevelt updates his son Kermit on the planning for his trip to Africa, though he is not yet sure he can make it. Results from Massachusetts and New York have settled the Republican presidential nomination for Secretary of War Taft, and Governor Hughes’s run is over. Roosevelt says Edith enjoys riding much better since getting a new horse, and Congress is refusing to do what it should.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-04-11

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit with more plans for their Africa trip. He has had help planning from friends Edward Buxton and Frederick Selous. Roosevelt feels the whole trip will last about eleven months. He closes by saying he is interested in Kermit’s rowing.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-05-01

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his thoughts on the upcoming Republican National Convention. He is sure they can get Secretary of War Taft nominated but Roosevelt does worry about a “stampede” for himself. He encloses letters he wrote to be read at the Convention. Roosevelt also writes about spring in Washington, D.C., his thoughts on the guns to take on the African hunting trip, and what to do with Archie’s schooling at Groton.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-06-06

Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit on his animosity towards Englishmen who will not fight in the war but will go watch football games. He says he has been writing about the war and strongly disapproves of President Wilson’s administration of foreign affairs. Roosevelt gives updates on Archie at Harvard, Quentin at Groton, and Ethel and her husband returning from a trip. Roosevelt hopes Belle is doing better in the heat and is enjoying his duty to be lazy and enjoy himself.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1914-12-02

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary forwards to Kermit Roosevelt a letter from Frederick Courteney Selous, noting that a different letter from Selous had been sent by mistake.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1914-12-05

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say that he is glad Ted visited Kermit at Groton, and, if Kermit works hard, he can finish school at home next year. Roosevelt says he is having problems with the Panama Canal because of clashes between Secretary of War Taft and Chairman Shonts. Massachusetts is going crazy over the tariff as well. Roosevelt says he is getting plenty of tennis, rides, and scrambling walks. He adds that Edith has been reading a lot to Archie and Quentin and the next day African hunter Frederick Selous is visiting.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1905-11-12

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to discuss his views on sadness in fiction. He mentions entertaining Frederick Selous, who told exciting stories to Ethel, Archie, and Quentin. Roosevelt adds that it is Quentin’s birthday and they played all sorts of games. He ends by saying he walks every morning with Edith, and the gardens are disheveled.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1905-11-19

Handwritten obituary for the great explorer and naturalist Frederick Courteney Selous. With the printed pages from The Outlook, 7 Mar 1917, in which this obituary appeared.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917

Theodore Roosevelt thanks C. W. L. Pulpett for sending him a book with an inscription from the “King.” Roosevelt relays that he wrote a letter to him in response and sends regards to the MacMillan family, Selous, and McMillan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-23

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Nancy Neff to confirm his interest in writing a preface for Captain Stigand’s book, The Game of British East Africa and offers to contact publishers on his behalf.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-08

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary does not believe Frederick Courteney Selous has written a book about his time on Roosevelt’s safari. However, Selous has previously written “one of the best informed hunter-naturalist books,” which James D. Stearnes could obtain from a library or bookseller.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-13

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Charles Sheldon for sending a copy of his book. Roosevelt was very interested to read it. He hopes to be able to see Sheldon soon to discuss some of the material in the book, specifically sheep coloration, a topic Roosevelt himself wrote a pamphlet on. Roosevelt gives his regards to Mrs. Sheldon, and he looks forward to visiting them soon. Frederick Courteney Selous sent his regards to Sheldon and inquired about his writing. Roosevelt offers to send Selous his spare copy of Sheldon’s book, if Sheldon would like.

Selous, Frederick Courteney, 1851-1917

Theodore Roosevelt expresses to Edmund Heller the need to quickly document big game specimens from Africa and urges him to return to Washington to finish his reports, sharing news from Frederick Selous and sending regards to friends.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-11

Theodore Roosevelt has enjoyed H. Rider Haggard’s book Rural Denmark. He agrees with Haggard regarding the land and those who live on it. Roosevelt comments on settlement patterns and their relations to agriculture and English speaking, as seen in the United States, Canada, Australia, and England. He compares the seemingly transient English settlers in East Africa with the Boers. While Denmark has done well, Roosevelt was puzzled by a particular “queer social growth” during his visit. He understands Haggard’s discouragement in trying to teach people “what is vital for them to learn and what they refuse to learn,” and advises him to approach the task. Roosevelt apologizes for writing “an unconscionably long letter.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-22