Your TR Source
Frank M. Chapman tells Theodore Roosevelt the National Academy of Science meetings are open to the public and discusses Roosevelt’s research paper and opinions on animal coloration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-16
John Burroughs is spending the summer on his farm in New York and working on a collection of essays. Burroughs has not seen the Abbott Handerson Thayer article that Roosevelt mentioned, but believes that Thayer has let his “artistic temperament run away with him.” Burroughs praises Roosevelt’s article on Dante in The Outlook, and notes that he has not yet seen Roosevelt’s Chapman paper. Burroughs believes that “the race of nature fakirs has ceased to breed.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-06
Charles W. Hargitt thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his paper, “Revealing and Concealing Coloration in Birds and Mammals,” and his “convincing critique” of Abbott Handerson Thayer. Hargitt also sends a copy of a discussion on a similar topic that might interest Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-02
John C. Phillips thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the note and commends his treatment of Abbott Handerson Thayer and his “ridiculous” scientific theory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-13
Edward William Nelson was pleased by the note Theodore Roosevelt sent accompanying the copy of the letter that Roosevelt wrote to Charles A. Kofoid regarding coloration of antelope. Nelson agrees with Roosevelt regarding the case, and believes that Abbott Handerson Thayer’s theory is “absurdly overworked” and in error. He regrets that he was unable to be present at the recent dinner of the Boone and Crockett club where he heard the matter was discussed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-01
Ruthven Deane recalls the “cordial reception” Theodore Roosevelt gave her at the Press Club gathering and requests one of his bookplates for her collection.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-11
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.
1911-02-02
Theodore Roosevelt writes Thomas Barbour, the curator of reptiles and amphibians at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, to criticize Abbott Handerson Thayer’s article in The Auk. Roosevelt was amused at Thayer’s allusion to Barbour and John C. Phillips and does not understand how naturalists can take him seriously. He calls him “fundamentally dishonest” regarding theories about bird coloration.
1911-10-26
Theodore Roosevelt asks ornithologist William Brewster to send him a copy of The Birds of the Cambridge Region. He is pleased at what Brewster said about his African Game Trails. Roosevelt has been so busy the past few years he has not been able to focus on natural history but now he is free and working on a pamphlet about bird and mammal coloration. He criticizes Abbott Handerson Thayer’s book and invites Brewster to lunch.
1911-05-08
Theodore Roosevelt writes Thomas Barbour, the curator of reptiles and amphibians at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, to complain about Allen’s attack on Roosevelt’s article about animal coloration. He may be referring to Barbour’s colleague Glover M. Allen. He defends his article and also cites Abbott Handerson Thayer’s work. Roosevelt feels The Auk should be ashamed of publishing Allen’s piece and tells Barbour to show this letter to any ornithologists he wishes. He wants Barbour to come to Oyster Bay so they can do experiments with black and white cloths.
1912-12-03