THEODORE ROOSEVELT CONCERNING HIS PORTRAIT
TO BE HUNG AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY

ROOSEVELT, THEODORE. (1858-1919). 26th President (1901-1909), and first American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (1906). Good Typed Letter Signed, “Theodore Roosevelt,” as President, on imprinted White House, Washington stationery. One full page, quarto. “Oyster Bay N.Y., July 8, 1905. To “Mr. Lyman F. Bloomingdale, Elberon, New Jersey.” Roosevelt writes:

“My dear Mr. Bloomingdale: I am really touched by your generous and kind letter, and now you must not think me churlish if I write you that it is simply impossible for me to have another picture painted. You can have no idea of how I have to fight to prevent my picture being painted- an experience common of course to all Presidents and other persons vested with a little brief authority. The next picture I have painted will have to be for the members of my old class, who wish to place it in Harvard College, and even for that I have not as yet been able to arrange. With hearty thanks and real regret, believe me Sincerely yours”

Arrangements for the portrait referred to in our letter were made with Joseph Rodefer DeCamp [(1858-1923), American artist, member of the Boston School, and founding member of the Ten American Painters]. The magisterial oil painting was finally completed in 1908, and as Roosevelt promised the work was donated to Harvard University’s Collection as a gift of the Class of 1880, where it remains to this day.