Your TR Source
Young Theodore Roosevelt filled this notebook with his observations on various species of ants, spiders, ladybugs, butterflies, fireflies, beetles, dragonflies, hawks, minnows and crayfish.
1869
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
Volume XX, No. 51. of “A Bulletin of Throop Polytechnic Institute”, “A Zoological Trip through Africa: A lecture by Theodore Roosevelt, In Science Series of the Throop Extension Courses, March 21, 1911,” Pasadena, CA.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1911-07
Theodore Roosevelt asks Charles D. Walcott if he knows when Edmund Heller is set to publish a certain study based on what the group discovered on a recent trip, as Roosevelt is anxious to make a permanent record of their travels. Roosevelt also asks when Walcott will send a pair of rhinoceros to the American Museum of Natural History where they will be displayed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-05
Theodore Roosevelt sends Henry Fairfield Osborn a draft of his article on “concealing coloration” in animals so that he may discuss it with him during lunch on Friday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-30
Theodore Roosevelt accepts an invitation to visit William T. Hornaday at ‘the park.’
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-23
Theodore Roosevelt was glad to see Edmund Heller on Sunday. He hopes that after Heller finishes the pamphlet on the rhinoceros, he will write one on the giant eland next. Frederick Courteney Selous is procuring eland for the British Museum, and Roosevelt would like Heller’s pamphlet to come out before any others. He lists other pamphlets he hopes Heller will write after that.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-07
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to G.M. Allen expressing interest in Allen’s color study as well as his account of the mammals inhabiting the Blue Nile Valley. He finishes the letter by thanking Allen for remembering him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-07
Theodore Roosevelt requests a meeting with William Louis Abbott on January 13, 1915, to discuss national unpreparedness and the zoology of mid-Africa and mid-Asia to be followed by lunch with Roosevelt’s sister, Corinne Roosevelt Robinson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-31
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Reverend William Way that there are no tigers in any part of Africa, but the leopard is sometimes called the “tiger,” similar to how the jaguar in South America is sometimes called a “tiger.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-17
Theodore Roosevelt compliments Frank M. Chapman’s article, calling it “the best kind of answer” to J.A. Allen’s contentious article in The Auk. Although Roosevelt states that he does not care what Allen said about him and a letter from Witmer Stone had helped to cool off the situation, Roosevelt did not appreciate The Auk being used as a medium to attack him through.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-17
Theodore Roosevelt responds to Witmer Stone’s previous letter discussing a controversy surrounding an article Roosevelt had written about mammal and bird coloration. Roosevelt reiterates his willingness to discuss zoological topics, but not with individuals like J.A. Allen who are intent on misquoting him for the sake of political gain.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-07
Theodore Roosevelt writes John Burroughs about the practical application of the term “species” to different animals. Roosevelt is also interested in Burroughs’ account of the woodchucks and thistle-finches, and updates Burroughs on the birds he has seen throughout the season. Roosevelt hopes that “the spirit” will move Burroughs to write about his visit to Pine Knot.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-28
Theodore Roosevelt sends an enclosure that shows things are “all right.” He is also excited for the Biological Survey.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-28
President Roosevelt invites Walter Wellman to dinner so they can discuss the Miles matter. Roosevelt is also interested in Arctic exploration and particularly the zoology of the “white bear.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-05
Theodore Roosevelt writes to C. Hart Merriam about the meaning of the word “species.” He feels the use of the word is simply a question of terminology. Roosevelt also recalls an argument between himself and Merriam about the connection between coyotes and wolves. Roosevelt also anticipates a delivery of lynx skins and skulls, as well as cougar skulls.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-04-08
Theodore Roosevelt is proud to have a subspecies of elk, “the noblest game animal of America,” named after him. Roosevelt would like to have lunch with C. Hart Merriam to discuss the Smithsonian matter. Roosevelt is also returning Merriam’s manuscript, in which he found little to correct.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-12-09
William T. Hornaday thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the letter which was sent to William Beebe. Hornaday believes Beebe is the world’s greatest ornithologist in part because, like Hornaday, he is committed to “making interesting zoological knowledge available to the millions who are interested in birds.” Hornaday would like Roosevelt to attend the opening of the Heads and Horns Collection in the Spring of 1918.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-10-10
C. Hart Merriam congratulates Theodore Roosevelt on the successful accomplishment of Roosevelt’s explorations in South America. He trusts that the newspapers have exaggerated accounts of Roosevelt’s poor health.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-05-20
Edmund Heller sends Theodore Roosevelt sixty pages of the manuscript for Life Histories of African Game Animals. The chapters cover the topics of history, distribution, and flora. Heller started with the introductory chapters, because he finds it the most convenient. Roosevelt’s work will be of great help to Heller.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1913-03-17