50. W. Post W. Post, Jan. 2, 1907; un. clip in Fenwick.

51. Hale, Hale, A Week A Week, 16, 44, 57. For an example of the sort of thing TR found funny, see the account by a White House secretary (N.Y. Sun, Jan. 27, 1927) of a letter sent to the President by the former heavyweight champion John L. Sullivan. Requesting leniency for an erring nephew in the U.S. military, Sullivan wrote apologetically, The boy was always a little wild, he even took to music once The boy was always a little wild, he even took to music once. At this, wrote the secretary, "Roosevelt let out a whoop of laughter and almost had a choking spell. He...had to leave his chair and go to the window for air. I never saw a man so convulsed with laughter."

52. Cha.201; Davenport in Cha.201; Davenport in Phil. Public Ledger Phil. Public Ledger, n.d., TRB clip.

53. Jusserand, Jusserand, What Me Befell What Me Befell, 330.

54. Ib.; also in Memorial Lecture, Oct. 27, 1919, TRB mss. For other anecdotes of TR's Rock Creek Park expeditions, see, e.g., Miles, Nelson M., "Ambassadors at the Court of Theodore Roosevelt," Ib.; also in Memorial Lecture, Oct. 27, 1919, TRB mss. For other anecdotes of TR's Rock Creek Park expeditions, see, e.g., Miles, Nelson M., "Ambassadors at the Court of Theodore Roosevelt," Mississippi Historical Review Mississippi Historical Review, Sept. 1955; But.11923, 229.

55. Amos, James, Amos, James, Theodore Roosevelt: Hero to His Valet Theodore Roosevelt: Hero to His Valet (John Day, 1927) 3941. (John Day, 1927) 3941.

56. Egan, Maurice, Egan, Maurice, Recollections of a Happy Life Recollections of a Happy Life (NY, 1924) 219220; Loo.152. Others who thought the President insane: Henry Adams (Ada.587) and Marse Henry Watterson (Pri.371). (NY, 1924) 219220; Loo.152. Others who thought the President insane: Henry Adams (Ada.587) and Marse Henry Watterson (Pri.371).

57. N.Y. Tribune N.Y. Tribune, Jan. 2, 1907; Gwy.1.437.

58. Amos, Amos, Valet Valet, 11; Loo.115; Wag. 173.

59. Trib. Trib., Jan. 2, 1907.

60. Bea.5, 13; NYS Legislature, Bea.5, 13; NYS Legislature, A Memorial to Theodore Roosevelt A Memorial to Theodore Roosevelt (Feb. 21, 1919) 22; Wag.112. See also TR's Annual Message, Dec. 5, 1906: "Good manners should be an international no less than an individual attribute...we must act uprightly to all men." (Feb. 21, 1919) 22; Wag.112. See also TR's Annual Message, Dec. 5, 1906: "Good manners should be an international no less than an individual attribute...we must act uprightly to all men."

61. Mrs. Harper Sibley in TRB mss. (Aug. 10, 1955, interview); Wag.116, 154; But.160. Mrs. Harper Sibley in TRB mss. (Aug. 10, 1955, interview); Wag.116, 154; But.160.

62. Wag.153, 4; Mor.3.392; Rii.9. Wag.153, 4; Mor.3.392; Rii.9.

63. Fenwick, 1907; Willets, Fenwick, 1907; Willets, Inside History Inside History, 198; Eve. Star Eve. Star, Jan. 1, 1907; N.Y. Her. N.Y. Her., Jan. 2.

64. Bis.1.338. Bis.1.338.

65. Hale, Hale, A Week A Week, 116.

66. The only authoritative measurement of TR's height (59) is that given in his passport application, 1881 (National Archive). Six years earlier, at age seventeen, he measured himself at 58" (see Ch. 2). The only authoritative measurement of TR's height (59) is that given in his passport application, 1881 (National Archive). Six years earlier, at age seventeen, he measured himself at 58" (see Ch. 2).

67. Physical description from (select list) ib.; Whi.297, also William Allen White, Physical description from (select list) ib.; Whi.297, also William Allen White, Masks in a Pageant Masks in a Pageant (Macmillan, 1928), 2845; (Macmillan, 1928), 2845; N.Y. World N.Y. World, May 17, 1895; But. 18 and Amos, Valet Valet, 101 (the former estimates TR's shoe size as "4 or 5"); Loo.15; Mike Donovan, Phys. Ed. Director, N.Y. Athletic Club, qu. Colman, Gossip Gossip, 2878; pors.

68. Willey, Day Allen, "When You Meet the President," Willey, Day Allen, "When You Meet the President," The Independent The Independent, June 30, 1904; Brooks, Sidney, in The Reader The Reader, Jan. 12, 1907; Hale, A Week A Week, 1516; N.Y. World N.Y. World, May 17, 1895; Wag.8.

69. Hale, Hale, A Week A Week, 15.

70. Pors; White, Pors; White, Masks Masks, 285.

71. Wis.68. The greatest photograph ever taken of TR, by Edward Steichen in 1908, captures all of these subtleties. See Wis.68. The greatest photograph ever taken of TR, by Edward Steichen in 1908, captures all of these subtleties. See A Life in Photography: Edward Steichen A Life in Photography: Edward Steichen (Doubleday, 1963) pl.56. (Doubleday, 1963) pl.56.

72. White, White, Masks Masks, 284; Julian Street in TRB mss.; Smith, Ira, Dear Mr. President: The Story of Fifty Years in the White House Mail Room Dear Mr. President: The Story of Fifty Years in the White House Mail Room (NY, 1949) 50. (NY, 1949) 50.

73. Wag.910; Smith, Wag.910; Smith, Dear Mr. President Dear Mr. President, 64; Hale, A Week A Week, 2641; see Chs. 4 and 6 for references to this impediment.

74. N.Y. World N.Y. World, May 17, 1895; HUN.5.

75. But.7; But.7; Outlook Outlook, Dec. 21, 1895; Chicago Times-Herald Chicago Times-Herald, July 22, 1895.

76. Loo.17; Street, Julian, Loo.17; Street, Julian, The Most Interesting American The Most Interesting American, 10; Ada. 419.

77. John J. Milholland, int. FRE. (TRB). John J. Milholland, int. FRE. (TRB).

78. Loo.21. Loo.21.

79. Wells, H.G., Wells, H.G., Experiment in Autobiography Experiment in Autobiography (Macmillan, 1934) 6489. (Macmillan, 1934) 6489.

80. Wells in Wells in Harper's Weekly Harper's Weekly, Oct. 6, 1906.

81. Yet see Wag. 81 ff. for evidence that TR was on the contrary sensitive to, and not without taste in, the fine arts. Samuel Eliot Morison, in Yet see Wag. 81 ff. for evidence that TR was on the contrary sensitive to, and not without taste in, the fine arts. Samuel Eliot Morison, in The Oxford History of the American People The Oxford History of the American People (NY, 1965), praises TR's beautification of Washington during his administrations, his commissioning of Augustus St.-Gaudens to design a new gold coinage, and his sponsorship of the classically elegant postage stamps of 1908 (816). See also the illustrated article "Roosevelt and our Coin Designs," in (NY, 1965), praises TR's beautification of Washington during his administrations, his commissioning of Augustus St.-Gaudens to design a new gold coinage, and his sponsorship of the classically elegant postage stamps of 1908 (816). See also the illustrated article "Roosevelt and our Coin Designs," in Century Century, Apr. 1920, for a full account of TR's efforts to give the United States "one coinage at least which shall be as good as that of the Ancient Greeks." The resultant $10 and $20 gold pieces are still regarded as the most beautiful ever produced by the American mint. A $20 coin recently sold for $3,600 at a numismatics auction (N.Y.T. (N.Y.T., 7.24.77).

82. Wells, Wells, Autobiography Autobiography, 649.

83. Howard of Penrith, Lord Esme, Howard of Penrith, Lord Esme, Theatre of Life Theatre of Life (London, 1936) 2.110. (London, 1936) 2.110.

84. Wag.35; Curtis, Natalie, "Mr. Roosevelt and Indian Music," Wag.35; Curtis, Natalie, "Mr. Roosevelt and Indian Music," Outlook Outlook, CXXI.399400 and CXX-III.87 ff. (1919); C. Hart Merriam, qu. Sul.3.157; Cut. passim; passim; Rob.232. Rob.232.

85. Wag.7. For a modern assessment of TR's mind, see Blum, John M., in Wag.7. For a modern assessment of TR's mind, see Blum, John M., in Michigan Quarterly Review Michigan Quarterly Review, 1959: "He was, to begin with, perhaps the most learned of all modern residents of the White House...He was an intellectual, and he was proud of it."

86. Wag.7. Wag.7.

87. But. 87; Wag. 8; Amos, But. 87; Wag. 8; Amos, Valet Valet, 623; Booth Tarkington at TR Medal Award ceremony, 1942, TRB mss.

88. HUN.64; Wag.120; Washburn, Charles G., HUN.64; Wag.120; Washburn, Charles G., Theodore Roosevelt: The Logic of his Career Theodore Roosevelt: The Logic of his Career (Houghton Mifflin, 1916) 205; Wag.119; Kipling, Rudyard, (Houghton Mifflin, 1916) 205; Wag.119; Kipling, Rudyard, Something of Myself Something of Myself (London, 1936) 134; TR to Brander Matthews, Dec. 9, 1894. (London, 1936) 134; TR to Brander Matthews, Dec. 9, 1894.

89. Storer, Storer, Child Child, 8; Wis.94; Booth Tarkington (see note 91).

90. Robert E. Livingstone int. FRE. (TRB). Robert E. Livingstone int. FRE. (TRB).

91. Hale, Hale, A Week A Week, 1156; see also Wis.47.

92. Straus qu. Wag.107. Straus qu. Wag.107.

93. N.Y. Trib. N.Y. Trib., Jan. 1, 1907; W. Post W. Post, Jan. 2; Mrs. Longworth, int. Jan. 2, 1956, TRB: "He loved cologne. He'd give us all a sniff of his handkerchief, which was practically saturated with cologne, when he met us in the hall." Apparently TR also liked verbena leaves, "which he would crumple and smell with exquisite pleasure" whenever he found them in fingerbowls. (Ib.) 94. Hale, Hale, A Week A Week, 16; Donovan, qu. Edna M. Colman, White House Gossip: From Johnson to Coolidge White House Gossip: From Johnson to Coolidge (Doubleday, 1927), 2878: "A plumbline could be dropped from the back of his head to his waist"; (Doubleday, 1927), 2878: "A plumbline could be dropped from the back of his head to his waist"; Eve. Star Eve. Star, Jan. 2, 1906; HUN.70 ("He like to have crushed my hand") and Clark, Chester M., in St. Nicholas St. Nicholas, Jan. 1908 ("a cordial vise"); un. clip, Nov. 13, 1898, in TRB.

95. Wis.110; Hale, Wis.110; Hale, A Week A Week, 48, 111; Thwing, Eugene, The Life and Meaning of Theodore Roosevelt The Life and Meaning of Theodore Roosevelt (NY, 1919) 129, 130. (NY, 1919) 129, 130.

96. Robert E. Livingstone int. FRE.; Burroughs, John, in Robert E. Livingstone int. FRE.; Burroughs, John, in The Life and Letters The Life and Letters, ed. Clara Barrus (Russell & Russell, 1968) 2.146: "He is a sort of electric bombshell, if there can be such a thing." Lewis, E. B., Edith Wharton Edith Wharton (Harper & Row, 1975) 113, and Mrs. Wharton qu. Wag.109. (Harper & Row, 1975) 113, and Mrs. Wharton qu. Wag.109.

97. Amy Belle (Cheney) Clinton to Hermann Hagedorn, Jan. 27, 1949 (TRB). Amy Belle (Cheney) Clinton to Hermann Hagedorn, Jan. 27, 1949 (TRB).

98. Henry Watterson, un. clip, TRB mss. Henry Watterson, un. clip, TRB mss.

99. Spooner qu. Wag. 109; White House appointments diary, TRP; Edel, Spooner qu. Wag. 109; White House appointments diary, TRP; Edel, James James, 275.

100. Gar.867; Muir qu. Wag.109; Rii.131. Gar.867; Muir qu. Wag.109; Rii.131.

101. Phil. Independent Phil. Independent, June 30, 1904.

102. But.5; Robert E. Livingstone int. FRE. But.5; Robert E. Livingstone int. FRE.

103. Nicholas Roosevelt, Nicholas Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt: The Man as I Knew Him Theodore Roosevelt: The Man as I Knew Him (Dodd, Mead, 1967), 56. "It was never safe to contest with him on any question of fact or figures." (HCL in New York State (Dodd, Mead, 1967), 56. "It was never safe to contest with him on any question of fact or figures." (HCL in New York State Memorial Memorial, 1919).

104. Nicholas Roosevelt, Nicholas Roosevelt, TR TR, 56; Wag.74.

105. Ib.; Stanley Isaacs int. May 1, 1956 (TRB). For other examples of TR's memory, see Wis.114; Stoker, Ib.; Stanley Isaacs int. May 1, 1956 (TRB). For other examples of TR's memory, see Wis.114; Stoker, Irving Irving, 237; Bishop, Joseph B., Notes and Anecdotes of Many Years Notes and Anecdotes of Many Years (Scribner's, 1925) 136. (Scribner's, 1925) 136.

106. Eve. Star Eve. Star, Jan. 1, 1907.

107. Moore, Moore, Old Guard Old Guard, 178; Fenwick, 1907 has a floor diagram showing crowd movement through the White House.

108. Child qu. Wag.108. Child qu. Wag.108.

109. W. Post W. Post, Jan. 2, 1907; W. Her. W. Her., same date.

110. W. Post W. Post, Jan. 2, 1907; see Whi.4045 for TR's post-reception ablutions.

111. Fenwick, 1908; Fenwick, 1908; Guinness Book of World Records Guinness Book of World Records (1978 ed.). Some contemporary sources, e.g. (1978 ed.). Some contemporary sources, e.g. N.Y. Sun N.Y. Sun, Jan. 2, 1907, put the figure as high as 10,000; others, e.g., Eve. Star Eve. Star, put it as low as 5,063. Guinness's figure of 8,150 is borne out, in fact slightly exceeded, by W. Her. W. Her., Jan. 2 (8,513) and the respected N.Y. Tribune N.Y. Tribune (8,500) and may be accepted as a fair estimate. (8,500) and may be accepted as a fair estimate.

112. The personal details in the following section are too numerous, and too ephemeral, for individual citation. Basic sources: Diary (1907) of Kermit Roosevelt in Library of Congress; Longworth, Derby, and Roosevelt interviews listed above. Other sources as cited below. The personal details in the following section are too numerous, and too ephemeral, for individual citation. Basic sources: Diary (1907) of Kermit Roosevelt in Library of Congress; Longworth, Derby, and Roosevelt interviews listed above. Other sources as cited below.

113. Naval War Naval War is still considered definitive. See Herr. 196; also Gable, John A., is still considered definitive. See Herr. 196; also Gable, John A., Theodore Roosevelt as Historian and Man of Letters Theodore Roosevelt as Historian and Man of Letters, intro. to TR's Gouverneur Morris Gouverneur Morris, Bicentennial Ed. (Oyster Bay, 1975) vii vii.

114. Eve. Star Eve. Star, Jan. 1, 1907; TRP. The subjects covered by these letters range from Choctaw and Chickasaw legislation through The Song of Roland The Song of Roland to white goats' heads. to white goats' heads.

115. Mrs. Longworth int. Nov. 1954; Amos, Mrs. Longworth int. Nov. 1954; Amos, Valet Valet, 11; Kermit Roosevelt Diary, Jan. 1, 1907; Day Allen Willey clip, n.d., TRB; Nicholas Roosevelt, TR TR, 55. For TR's half-blindness, which was kept a secret during his term as President, see Morr.355, 653.

116. TR to S. American expedition companion, 1913, memo in TRB mss. TR to S. American expedition companion, 1913, memo in TRB mss.

117. Rii.3112; memo of TR's vice-presidential campaign, TRB mss. (see Ch. 28); Wag.456; But.88; Whi.501. Rii.3112; memo of TR's vice-presidential campaign, TRB mss. (see Ch. 28); Wag.456; But.88; Whi.501.

118. Wis.89. Wis.89.

119. W. M. Sims in TR.Wks.VI.xi. In TR Medals file, TRB, Sims recalls TR telling him, after a reprieve from a theatre performance granted by Mrs. Roosevelt, "I have three books, and I am going to read them all tonight." W. M. Sims in TR.Wks.VI.xi. In TR Medals file, TRB, Sims recalls TR telling him, after a reprieve from a theatre performance granted by Mrs. Roosevelt, "I have three books, and I am going to read them all tonight."

120. Mor.5, Mor.5, passim; passim; TR, TR, Letters to Kermit Letters to Kermit (Scribner's, 1946) (Scribner's, 1946) passim; passim; Rob. 239. Author's guess at 500 other volumes is based on TR's average of one and often two books a day. Those who consider it an inflated estimate should refer to Wag.56, and Mor. 3.6424 for TR's own stupendous reading list for 1902 and 1903, compiled for Nicholas Murray Butler on Nov. 4, 1903. ("Of course I have forgotten a great many, especially ephemeral novels...and I have also read much in the magazines.") See also Rob. 239. Author's guess at 500 other volumes is based on TR's average of one and often two books a day. Those who consider it an inflated estimate should refer to Wag.56, and Mor. 3.6424 for TR's own stupendous reading list for 1902 and 1903, compiled for Nicholas Murray Butler on Nov. 4, 1903. ("Of course I have forgotten a great many, especially ephemeral novels...and I have also read much in the magazines.") See also The Critic The Critic, June 1903: "The President is known as one of the most extensive patrons of the Library of Congress...no previous President has ever sent to this institution lists of books so lengthy...The President is constantly consulting not only the latest authorities upon subjects which interest him, but also original editions and manuscripts." See also TR to George Haven Putnam, Oct. 6, 1902: "That man Lindsay who wrote about prehistoric Greece has not put out a second volume, has he? Has a second volume of Oman's Art of War Art of War appeared? If so, send me either or both; if not, then a good modern translation of Niebhur and Momsen or the best modern history of Mesopotamia. Is there a good history of Poland?" (Mor. 3.3435). appeared? If so, send me either or both; if not, then a good modern translation of Niebhur and Momsen or the best modern history of Mesopotamia. Is there a good history of Poland?" (Mor. 3.3435).

121. Mor.5.502; ib.3.557; TR to Mrs. Cadwallader Jones, Oct. 23, 1906 (Derby mss.). Mor.5.502; ib.3.557; TR to Mrs. Cadwallader Jones, Oct. 23, 1906 (Derby mss.).

122. Mor.5.549. Mor.5.549.

123. Ib., 537; Ib., 537; Century Century, Jan. 1907. "The Ancient Irish Sagas," which TR wrote to take his mind off Brownsville, is reprinted in TR. Wks.XII.141 ff. See DeeGee Lester, "Theodore Roosevelt, the Ancient Irish Sagas and Celtic Studies in the United States," Eire-Ireland Eire-Ireland 24 (1989) 1. 24 (1989) 1.

124. Wag.69. Wag.69.

125. Amos, Amos, Valet Valet, 151.

1: THE V VERY S SMALL P PERSON.

Important sources not in Bibliography: 1. Alsop collection of early Roosevelt family letters (now in TRC). 2. Union League Club of New York, 1. Alsop collection of early Roosevelt family letters (now in TRC). 2. Union League Club of New York, Theodore Roosevelt Senior: A Tribute Theodore Roosevelt Senior: A Tribute (privately printed, 1878, 1902). (privately printed, 1878, 1902).

1. The following account of TR's birth is taken from a very detailed letter from Mrs. Martha Bulloch (Mittie Roosevelt's mother) to Mrs. Hillborn West, Oct. 28, 1858 (Alsop). The following account of TR's birth is taken from a very detailed letter from Mrs. Martha Bulloch (Mittie Roosevelt's mother) to Mrs. Hillborn West, Oct. 28, 1858 (Alsop).

2. Ib. Ib.

3. Ib.; also Morris K. Jesup, qu. Pri.4. Ib.; also Morris K. Jesup, qu. Pri.4.

4. Mrs. Bulloch to Mrs. West, July 16, 1859; Put.23. Mrs. Bulloch to Mrs. West, July 16, 1859; Put.23.

5. Put.23; TR.Auto.15. Put.23; TR.Auto.15.

6. Hag.Boy.21. Hag.Boy.21.

7. Put.33; Las.4. Put.33; Las.4.

8. Rob.4; Put.423; TR.Auto.12; News clip, n.d., in TRB, qu. TR "to a friend": see also Rii.445. Rob.4; Put.423; TR.Auto.12; News clip, n.d., in TRB, qu. TR "to a friend": see also Rii.445.

9. Louisa Lee Schuyler, qu. Pri.10. Louisa Lee Schuyler, qu. Pri.10.

10. Emlen Roosevelt, int. FRE. (TRB mss.); Rob.5; see also Rii.447. Emlen Roosevelt, int. FRE. (TRB mss.); Rob.5; see also Rii.447.

11. McClure's McClure's, Nov. 1898; Rob.4.

12. TR.Auto.78. TR.Auto.78.

13. Ib., 11. Ib., 11.

14. Rob.18; Mrs. Joseph Alsop Sr. int., Nov. 22, 1954 (TRB). Lock of MBR's hair in Alsop. Rob.18; Mrs. Joseph Alsop Sr. int., Nov. 22, 1954 (TRB). Lock of MBR's hair in Alsop.

15. Elliott Roosevelt, qu. a Mr. James of North Road, L.I., in Eleanor Roosevelt, ed., Elliott Roosevelt, qu. a Mr. James of North Road, L.I., in Eleanor Roosevelt, ed., Hunting Big Game in the Eighties Hunting Big Game in the Eighties (Scribner's, 1933) 46. See also Par.26. (Scribner's, 1933) 46. See also Par.26.

16. Mrs. Burton Harrison, Mrs. Burton Harrison, Recollections Grave and Gay Recollections Grave and Gay (NY, 1911), 278. (NY, 1911), 278.

17. Mrs. Alsop int.; Rob.18. Mrs. Alsop int.; Rob.18.

18. See, e.g., Rob.18. See, e.g., Rob.18.

19. Roosevelt, Mrs. Theodore, Jr., Roosevelt, Mrs. Theodore, Jr., Day Before Yesterday Day Before Yesterday (Doubleday, 1959) 39. (Doubleday, 1959) 39.

20. The best Roosevelt genealogy in brief is Howard K. Beale, "TR's Ancestry: A Study in Heredity" in The best Roosevelt genealogy in brief is Howard K. Beale, "TR's Ancestry: A Study in Heredity" in N.Y. Genealogical and Biographical Record N.Y. Genealogical and Biographical Record, Oct. 1954. In the fourth generation the family changed the spelling of its name (literally "field of roses") and divided, one line leading down by way of New York City and the Republican Party to President Theodore Roosevelt, the other by way of the Hudson Valley and the Democratic Party to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Mittie Roosevelt introduced FDR's parents to each other; FDR was TR's fifth cousin. The two branches, usually referred to as the Oyster Bay and Hyde Park Roosevelts, became politically and socially estranged in the early 1920s, despite the marriage of Eleanor of the former and Franklin of the latter. After half a century of family strife, which only Iris Murdoch could do full justice to, the two branches are now, in 1978, attempting reconciliation, and co-sponsoring the publication of a new Roosevelt genealogy.

21. Put.36; TR.Auto.1; Rii.435. Put.36; TR.Auto.1; Rii.435.

22. TR.Auto.1; words and music of TR.Auto.1; words and music of Trippel, trippel toontjes Trippel, trippel toontjes in TRB. in TRB.

23. Put.89. According to Put.89. According to N.Y. World N.Y. World, Sep. 22, 1901 (?1907) clip in TRB, Mittie could trace her ancestry back to Edward III of England.