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Roosevelt and His Era

Roosevelt in Song

Roosevelt sheet music coversAlthough not known for any singing ability himself, TR was the topic of many songs written during his life. Political songs and songs about the Rough Riders were frequent Rooseveltian tunes.

Some of the less than memorable melodies penned in his memory:

Strenuous Life March and Two Step
William J. Short (Maynard, Mass.: C.H. Persons Music House, 1901)
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When Teddy Comes Marching Home
Words by Irving B. Lee; music by W.R. Williams (Chicago: Will Rossiter, 1900)
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Roosevelt March: A Tribute to the Memory of Col. Theodore Roosevelt
Composed by F. Carl Jahn (New York: Will Wood, 1919)
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We'll Stand by Our President! An American Song for All America
Lee Stuyvesant (New York: Leo Feist, 1902)
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TR as a Logo

Teddy Bears were a children's toy manufactured in honor of Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt and a story involving his refusal to shoot a formidable bear on a hunting trip. Read more about the famous hunting trip in the article The Story if the Teddy Bear by the National Park Service.  

Variety of children's books featuring teddy bear characters

Teddy Bear Books

 

The Squair Collection (SC22110) includes many items that show how people tried to capitalize on his fame. Displayed here are a plastic placemat, "Theodore Roosevelt Has Thanksgiving Dinner at Sagamore" featuring a "Teddy Bear" with Roosevelt's iconic reading glasses.

Placemat illustrated with teddy bear sitting at the head of a table displayed with foods and animals

Thanksgiving Dinner Placemat

The Squair collection included 740 postcards (PRI5399) depicting Theodore Roosevelt and subjects related to him, things named after him, teddy bears and animals he hunted, as well as images of his homes in New York City and at Oyster Bay, Long Island, and memorials.

Postcards featuring Roosevelt's likeness and his homes.

"Rum, Rumor and Roosevelt"

newspaper article titled Rum, Runner, and Roosevelt by Frederic E. Sturdevant“… the rumors of Roosevelt’s own drinking persisted and made good newspaper copy. The issue was explored in a lengthy article titled “Rum, Rumor and Roosevelt,” by Frederic Sturdevant, a correspondent for the New York World. ‘It is such an infamous lie that it is a little doubtful to know what to do regarding it,’ Sturdevant quoted Roosevelt as saying.”

I Rose Like Rocket by Paul Grondahl, page 356

Lyle Squair, compiler
Theodore Roosevelt Collection
SC22110