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President Roosevelt has written to his son Archibald B. Roosevelt and asked him to be kind to Leonard Eckstein Opdycke’s son, as the two boys are classmates at Groton School. Roosevelt is happy to hear from Opdycke and laments the loss of two of their classmates, Henry Russell Shaw and Samuel W. Skinner.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-23
Leonard Eckstein Opdycke informs President Roosevelt that he left his son, Leonard Opdycke, at Groton School and found out that Archibald B. Roosevelt was his table neighbor and classmate. Although Leonard Opdycke is good at books, he is a bit shy, and the elder Opdycke would appreciate if the president let Archie know about the fathers’ friendship.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-18
Theodore Roosevelt recounts a sledding party in Chestnut Hill and the people in attendance.
1879-02-03
Theodore Roosevelt inquires what members of the family would like for Christmas presents and also mentions Thanksgiving dinner plans with friends.
Theodore Roosevelt updates his sister Corinne on his social calendar. He tells her of social calls made with Arthur Hooper, dinner with Henry Russell Shaw, dancing class, and parties. He also sends his regards to several girls back home.
1878-01-13
Theodore Roosevelt apologizes to his sister for not writing sooner due to heavy studying and examinations. He informs her of his plans to introduce her to some of his friends over Christmas vacation. Roosevelt provides her with short character sketches of his friends, including Nickerson, Bacon, Hooper, Shaw, Chapin, Jackson, Pellew, and Welling. After receiving a postcard from her, Roosevelt makes plans to have a party during vacation.
1876-12-14
President Roosevelt was shocked and saddened to receive news that one of his Harvard classmates, Henry Russell Shaw, has died. Roosevelt is grateful to Henry Bainbridge Chapin for notifying him and asks that he pass along a condolence letter to Shaw’s wife.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-07
Henry Bainbridge Chapin notifies President Roosevelt that Henry Russell Shaw died this morning at Murray Bay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-06
Chronology of the daily life of Theodore Roosevelt from January 1871 to December 1878. Notable events include the Roosevelt family’s trip to Europe and Egypt, Roosevelt’s entrance to Harvard, the death of Theodore “Thee” Roosevelt, Roosevelt’s trip to Maine, and Roosevelt meeting Alice Hathaway Lee.
Theodore Roosevelt Association
1985
Moore, Robert J. (Robert John), 1956-; Theodore Roosevelt Association
Wallace Finley Dailey, curator of the Theodore Roosevelt Collection at Harvard University, recreates an exhibit on Theodore Roosevelt’s involvement with Harvard from his days as a student to his work as an overseer. The exhibit was displayed at Harvard in 1977, 1980, 1996, 2005, and 2012. The exhibit in article form consists of twenty-five photographs, including thirteen of Roosevelt, and numerous documents including letters, certificates, diary and notebook entries, and publications by and about Roosevelt. The accompanying text identifies each photograph and document, noting its source and providing context.
Stacey A. Cordery examines the “shadows and sunshine” of Theodore Roosevelt’s time in Boston while an undergraduate student at Harvard College. Cordery identifies the shadows as the death of Roosevelt’s father, his disenchantment with his natural science major, and his failed courtship of Edith Kermit Carow. The countering sunshine was provided by Roosevelt’s successful pursuit of Alice Hathaway Lee. Cordery looks at each of these episodes, especially the courtship of Carow and Lee, and she argues that these episodes were pivotal to Roosevelt’s life and career.
Four photographs appear in the text, including two of Roosevelt with Lee.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
2007-10-27
Wallace Finley Dailey, Curator of the Theodore Roosevelt Collection at Harvard University, describes in detail two exhibits of Theodore Roosevelt material on display in the Theodore Roosevelt Gallery in the Nathan Marsh Pusey Library in 1977. One exhibit covers Roosevelt’s long relationship with Harvard University from his undergraduate student years to his death. The other explores Roosevelt’s relationship with his daughter Ethel Roosevelt Derby. In both exhibit summaries, Dailey quotes extensively from Roosevelt’s letters and speeches and provides descriptions of the photographs used in the exhibits.
Three photographs and one illustration accompany the article. One photograph shows Dailey examining the exhibit display cases. Another shows Roosevelt with a group of his Harvard classmates, and one shows Derby at the White House in 1902. The illustration is a drawing by Roosevelt’s classmate, Charles G. Washburn, that depicts a monument detailing Roosevelt’s many activities at Harvard.
Theodore Roosevelt thanks his father for sending the petition that will allow him to attend church. The bag and clock have arrived but he will need several more books and the key to his bookcase. His room appears comfortable with the pictures hung and the knickknacks placed. Roosevelt attended a football game between the freshman team and Adams Academy. His studies are going well except the class “Theory of Determinants.”
1876-11-05
Theodore Roosevelt is enjoying his comfortable room, but some odd pieces of furniture arrived and he does not know why they were sent. His schoolwork is growing more difficult, particularly mathematics. Roosevelt met Mr. Townsend, a cousin of Mr. Thayer, which was a relief because he generally does not know the families of his school friends. He recently went to the theater, dined with Mr. Thayer, and might join a whist club. Roosevelt requests the address of a dentist and doctor.
1876-10-23
Theodore Roosevelt has received his books and packages. He is not pleased with the food and intends to join a “table with some of the Boston men.” Roosevelt has also paid the next half year’s rent. He provides a sketch of his room and outlines his schedule. He recently purchased his winter clothing, except for an afternoon coat, and has been wearing his mother’s slippers.
1876-10-06
Group portrait of six Harvard classmates, including Theodore Roosevelt. From left to right, standing: Richard M. Saltonstall, Christopher Minot Weld, Theodore Roosevelt; seated: John S. Tebbets, Henry Bainbridge Chapin, Henry Russell Shaw. “Big Six” is inscribed on the paper border.
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
1872-1882
Assistant Secretary of War Oliver encloses a letter from his brother-in-law, Henry Russell Shaw, who is fighting tuberculosis in the Adirondacks. A word from President Roosevelt would be a “great tonic.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-18
Henry Bainbridge Chapin sends President Roosevelt a list of members of Harvard’s Class of 1880 who will visit Roosevelt on November 1. Chapin asks when dinner will be scheduled.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-26