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Thomas Barbour conveys his satisfaction upon reading Theodore Roosevelt’s “coloration-paper.” He is delayed in reading and remarking on the paper because he has been visiting his family’s park in the Adirondacks. Barbour has great pleasure in remembering time he spent at Oyster Bay. He hopes Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s fall is not serious.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-03
John Burroughs read Theodore Roosevelt’s reply to Abbott Thayer in The Outlook, “You cut the ground from under him every time.” Burroughs has not yet seen Thayer’s article in Popular Science Monthly, but plans to get it upon his return home. Burroughs sends Roosevelt the table of contents for his new book. The volume he hopes to put out next year will include Pine Knot. Burroughs suggests that Roosevelt read Henri Bergson’s Creative Evolution.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-29
John Burroughs has not received the issue of The Outlook with Theodore Roosevelt’s reply to Abbott Handerson Thayer. Burroughs requests to have that issue, as well as another containing Roosevelt’s work, sent to him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-25
Abel Chapman thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his letter and pamphlet on the coloration of birds and mammals, praising Roosevelt’s arguments and emphasizing the value of field observation over theory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-13
John M. Phillips appreciates the pamphlet on “Concealing Coloration in Birds and Mammals” sent by Theodore Roosevelt and thinks it is a valuable contribution to the scientific field. He denigrates Abbott Handerson Thayer’s views on camouflage and is glad that Roosevelt will be writing a letter to the editor of The Open. He also appreciated Roosevelt’s words against William J. Long’s fake natural history.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-16
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-13
Pycraft, W. P. (William Plane), 1868-1942
Clifford Richardson thanks Theodore Roosevelt for sharing his paper on coloration and agrees with Roosevelt’s critique of the Thayers, stating they lack field experience and natural accuracy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-10
John Burroughs gives Theodore Roosevelt feedback on his book. Animal coloration is discussed. Burroughs mentions another book he is reading that he thinks Roosevelt would enjoy. Burroughs and his wife left Pasadena and arrived safely to their destination.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910
Theodore Roosevelt argues against some of Abbott Handerson Thayer’s conclusions regarding the protective coloration of animals. Roosevelt believes that Thayer pushed his theory to extremes and he would like a competent scientist to conduct a serious study of coloration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-02
Theodore Roosevelt congratulates Frank M. Chapman on his election to the American Ornithologists Union. He proposes options for entertaining Chapman, William Brewster, and Charles Sheldon, if he will come. Thayer wrote Roosevelt, asking him to attend some experiments he plans to conduct.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-28
Theodore Roosevelt finished Douglas Dewar and Frank Finn’s “delightful and illuminating book.” He sends his pamphlet, which criticizes Abbott Handerson Thayer’s “preposterous work” and uniquely examines the theory of concealing coloration. Roosevelt agrees with Dewar and Finn’s points of over-theorizing and their emphasis on experiments and first-hand field observations. Additionally, he sends his article addressing Alfred Russel Wallace’s “preposterous theory” about antelope horns. He cautiously dissects several of the authors’ points, including dark coloration’s relation to aggression and the inheritance of acquired characteristics.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-02
Theodore Roosevelt is glad Charles Sheldon is coming with him to Boston, Massachusetts. He invited Sheldon, Frank M. Chapman, and William Brewster to breakfast next Saturday. Roosevelt has an anecdote to share about Abbott Handerson Thayer using one of F. R. N. Findley’s photographs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-28
Theodore Roosevelt looked up the Auk as Thomas Barbour suggested and was amused by Abbott Handerson Thayer’s allusion to Barbour and John C. Phillips. Thayer has likely seen Roosevelt’s pamphlet and is welcome to turn his wrath towards him. Roosevelt does not understand how naturalists continue to take Thayer seriously and hopes Barbour and Phillips will make a serious attack against him and his dishonesty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-26
Theodore Roosevelt informs Langdon Warner that there is no use talking to Abbott Handerson Thayer because he is unable to face the facts about protective coloration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-09
Theodore Roosevelt reminds Frank M. Chapman that he sympathizes with Roosevelt because Roosevelt prioritizes the facts, unlike Thayer. Roosevelt is pleased that Chapman enjoyed his article on Panama and discusses the United States’ duty in Panama and Cuba and how it does not have that same duty in Russia or Turkey.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-09
Theodore Roosevelt appreciated W. P. Pycraft’s letter and is embarrassed he did not acknowledge receipt of Pycraft’s book. Since returning from a trip to London, Roosevelt has read Pycraft’s book multiple times and was very impressed. Roosevelt questions why, in his previous letter, Pycraft was concerned Roosevelt would have objections to his book. Roosevelt is frustrated by “pretentious shame,” because he believes that anyone, not just trained scientists, can make important discoveries if they are curious and observant. And there are many scientists who would benefit from listening to these discoveries, including Alfred Russel Wallace. Roosevelt considers Wallace a great scientist, but found the argument of his most recent book completely ridiculous. Roosevelt explains the flaws in Wallace’s arguments about antelopes and rabbits. Roosevelt wants to impress upon all naturalists that observation is more valuable than collection. Roosevelt considers Pycraft’s book to be an excellent example of the importance of observation. Roosevelt invites Pycraft to visit his home.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-29
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that Charles W. Hargitt enjoyed his study on concealing coloration, and reiterates his opinion that Thayer’s high reputation is unwarranted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-05
Theodore Roosevelt sends John C. Phillips a copy of his “Concealing Coloration” paper, saying that he greatly enjoyed his review of Abbott Handerson Thayer’s work “The Awk.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-01
Theodore Roosevelt has not heard from Frederick Courteney Selous for some time and wants to hear how his safari in the Lado Enclave went. He hopes Selous killed a giraffe as he is curious about what species is in the area and that he solved the questions of Mrs. Grey’s waterbuck. Roosevelt encourages Selous to write a book on his experiences and praises his previous works, especially as other hunter-naturalists’ books are “utterly dry.” He sends a copy of his pamphlet on protective coloration in animals and his follow-up article. Kermit Roosevelt misses Africa and is currently hunting in Mexico, with a trip to New Brunswick planned for September. Roosevelt wants Selous and his wife, Marie Catherine Gladys Selous, to visit him at Sagamore Hill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-15
Theodore Roosevelt notes that he and John Burroughs have fought side by side against diverse kinds of “nature fakers.” Roosevelt sends Burroughs an article that he wrote partly in response to Abbott Thayer’s article in Popular Science Monthly. Roosevelt believes that Thayer may be more dangerous than William J. Long, because Thayer is so much more plausible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-15