Tolstoy, Leo, graf, 1828-1910

Florence Bayard Lockwood La Farge replies to President Roosevel’s recent letter about books, and agrees with him on what he has written about Jane Addams. She believes that Addams’s arguments are not well thought out. La Farge wishes that emigration could stop for five years while the United States assimilates its citizens into a more unified whole. She recommends the book The World Machine by Carl Snyder.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-20

Creator(s)

La Farge, Florence Bayard Lockwood, 1864-1944

Andrew Dickson White discusses the political turmoil in Russia and the problems Russians cause in the United States and abroad. White thinks it wise that Richard Watson Gilder, editor of The Century Magazine, has avoided involvement with Maxim Gorky, and he wishes that Mark Twain and William Dean Howells had done the same.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-18

Creator(s)

White, Andrew Dickson, 1832-1918

In response to a letter that President Roosevelt forwarded to him, Robert Grant is amazed both at the nature of the problem and at the “crass impertinence” the writer had in asking Roosevelt to solve it. He hopes that Roosevelt will “deal a buffet to this scrupulous pair that will make them blush.” Grant argues that certain religious groups revere the Virgin Mary too much and place too much value upon virginity.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-07

Creator(s)

Grant, Robert, 1852-1940

William N. Tilchin examines the contents of Outlook Editorials which consists of eleven editorials written for The Outlook magazine by Theodore Roosevelt over five months in 1909. Tilchin contends that the editorials show Roosevelt’s combination of of advancing progressive ideas with a commitment to finding practical, common sense solutions to problems. Tilchin quotes extensively from the editorials within sentences and in twelve excerpts that demonstrate Roosevelt’s penchant for balance and moderation. The editorials discuss a variety of topics from socialism, to immigration, naval preparedness, and the inheritance tax. 

Photographs of Roosevelt, the Great White Fleet, and the cover of Outlook Editorials supplement the text. 

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

2013

Theodore Roosevelt discusses his reading habits, and his likes and dislikes among many categories of books and authors. Roosevelt talks about the times of day he reads, his reading while traveling or on hunting trips, and he emphasizes that each individual will have to develop his own taste in books and reading. A photograph of Roosevelt reading in the doorway of a cabin and a text box acknowledging the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership’s support of the Theodore Roosevelt Association supplement the essay.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1916

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt tells Ambassador to Russia Meyer that he has felt impatient with the Russian Duma, believing it to be subject to socialist and anarchistic influences. Roosevelt thinks it unfortunate that in a country struggling towards effective self-government, the leaders are “impractical and foolish visionaries of the Tolstoy class.”

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1906-08-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

James H. Blount discusses sentencing criminals in the Philippines, including sentencing sixteen men to death. His experiences have led him to think that penal servitude may be “unrighteous.” Blount also enjoyed reading Theodore Roosevelt’s Winning of the West and met Luther S. “Yellowstone” Kelly, an ex-scout and friend to Roosevelt. Blount recognizes that he is working in an outpost while also understanding the importance of his work.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-21

Creator(s)

Blount, James H. (James Henderson), 1869-1918

In his article for Ladies’ Home Journal, Theodore Roosevelt describes the benefits of reading and provides advice on how to get people of any age interested in reading “serious literature.” Roosevelt elaborates on his reading habits and book selection processes, which stem from both his current mood and educational desires.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

1915-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt relates the chase and capture of three thieves that had stolen his boat. The thieves were captured along the river and then Roosevelt took them overland to the sheriff in Dickinson, Dakota Territory. He read Anna Karenina during the trip and has mixed feelings about the quality of the book but enjoyed Leo Tolstoy’s writing style. Roosevelt requests that Corinne Roosevelt Robinson deliver some flowers to Edith Kermit Carow before Carow travels abroad.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1886-04-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt confirms receipt of Robert Grant’s two letters mentioning Sioux Falls and Sioux City, and comments on a questionable letter he received from a man, possibly a “campaign trick.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1904-09-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919