Ulan Coiniinnn 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT, MY FATHER, TRUSTEE OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM 

 OF NATURAL HISTORY FROM 1869 TO 1878 



My father was interested in natural history through his connection, as trustee, with the American 

 Museum, and when he became aware of my liking for birds and animals he encouraged my 

 bent in that direction. It was when I was about fourteen that he noted my nearsighted- 

 ness. His gift of a pair of spectacles opened up a whole new world to me. 

 "My father, Theodore Roosevelt, was the best man I ever knew. . . . He would not 

 tolerate in his children selfishness or cruelty, idleness, cowardice, or untruthful- 

 ness. . . . With great love and patience, and the most understanding sym- 

 pathy and consideration, he combined insistence on discipline. . . ." ^ 



'^Theodore Roosevelt — An Autobiot/raphi/. The Macmillan Company, New York, 1913, p. 8. 



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