Description:

Theodore Roosevelt
Oyster Bay, NY & Washington, D.C., ca. 1901/1902
Theodore Roosevelt Letters to his Former English Professor and First Dean of Harvard, LeBaron Briggs
TLS
Two letters by Theodore Roosevelt as President, each to LeBaron R. Briggs, first Dean of Harvard and Roosevelt's former English professor, written from various places and dates, 1900-1902. Overall in very good condition, with individual details appearing below.

The first, a typed letter (unsigned), one page, 7.75" x 8.5", Oyster Bay, March 1, 1901. In part: "…When I come to the Home Market Club I want to get out to Harvard and have a talk with you. Is there a place in Boston where I could get you to take lunch with me? Or can't we lunch at the Algonquin Club, if they ask it? I have a friend, a former Lieutenant in my regiment studying law at Harvard, and I may have him with me; but he is a good fellow and you wont [sic] mind it. There are several points in your articles that I really wish to go over with you…". Roosevelt adds in holograph: "Somewhere, I want to have lunch with you!". Trimmed at top, with several holograph emendations and rectangular piece originally bearing signature excised at middle.

The second, a typed letter signed, one page, 7" x 9", Washington, January 6, 1902. Roosevelt writes to Briggs on White House letterhead, in part: "…I want to thank you for your courtesy in letting so many of the boys come to my daughter's [Alice Roosevelt] dance…Now as to the book. Don't you think it is a little of the 'pride that apes humility' when you say you do not think I will read it? I shall read every article over again -- for I suppose I have read them for the most part in the magazines as they came out…".

LeBaron Russell Briggs (1855-1934) was an American educator and the first Dean of Harvard University. As such, he was charged with responsibility for student relations as separate and distinct from their instruction. He was also the eponym for the SS LeBaron Russell Briggs, used in World War II. Briggs was admired by generations of students for his kindness and benevolent guidance; at the same, however, he held them to task, once stating: "Success does not and cannot mean escape from work."

Theodore Roosevelt attended Harvard with the initial goal of becoming a scientist. Following the sudden and devastating loss of his father in 1878, however, he changed his major to history and government Although politics was considered "beneath" wealthy young gentlemen, Roosevelt saw it as an opportunity to change laws for the betterment of society as well as honor his father. He graduated in 1880 magna cum laude and Phi Betta Kappa. Of his education at Harvard, Roosevelt quipped: "I thoroughly enjoyed Harvard, and I am sure it did me good, but only in the general effect, for there was very little in my actual studies which helped me in afterlife."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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    Dimensions:
  • 7" x 9"
  • Artist Name:
  • Theodore Roosevelt
  • Medium:
  • TLS

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