THEODORE ROOSEVELT: A DESCRIPTIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY

New Castle, Delaware: Oak Knoll Press, 2020. Cloth with dust jacket. 7 x 10.375 inches. Cloth with dust jacket. 320 pages plus 8-page color insert. "It is a book, that anyone interested in bibliography, books history, history of publishing and, of course, the life and works of Theodore Roosevelt will found fascinating...This book is a perfect example of what a bibliography should be."

- Concetta La Spada, SHARP News



"Oak Knoll Press [is] the leading source for author and subject bibliographies. A stellar recent example is Theodore Roosevelt: A Descriptive Bibliography, by Heather G. Cole and R.W.G. Vail, which chronicles the writing career and many books -- from The Naval War of 1812 to A Book-Lovers Holidays in the Open -- authored by this most intellectually wide-ranging of 20th-century presidents."

- Michael Dirda, The Washington Post



"It is not hyperbole to state that this is one of the most valuable and important works of TR scholarship to be published in many years."

- Gregory A. Wynn, Vice President, Theodore Roosevelt Association



Dedicated civil servant, decorated soldier, popular statesman, and beloved family man, Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) was also one of the most prolific American presidents. From an early age, he published articles, pamphlets, and monographs on a wide variety of topics, ranging from a naval history of the War of 1812 to a biography of Oliver Cromwell, from memoirs of time spent ranching in the Dakotas to an essay on Irish theater. His works became collectable during his lifetime, and were frequently repackaged and republished by those hoping to capitalize on the popular president's success.



This is the first complete descriptive bibliography of Roosevelt's works to be published. R.W.G. Vail (1890-1966) prepared an exhaustive bibliography in the early 1920s while serving as librarian for the Roosevelt Memorial Association (now the Theodore Roosevelt Association). His work, typewritten on 3,000 large note cards, came to Harvard's Houghton Library as part of the Theodore Roosevelt Collection, where it remained, hidden away for the past century. This bibliography reexamines and expands upon Vail's work, providing a detailed overview of Roosevelt's impressive publication list.



The bibliography includes seven sections: a descriptive bibliography of monographs and pamphlets, and of monographs to which Roosevelt contributed essays; a list of articles published in periodicals; a list of collected works published in his lifetime; a list of separately published speeches; a list of translations of books published during his lifetime; and a series of appendices.



Heather Cole, former Curator of the Houghton Library's Theodore Roosevelt Collection, has edited and expanded on Vail's work, updating and adding to his research. She had access to the same collection Vail used to compose his bibliography, as well as numerous additional copies of each of Roosevelt's works to use for comparison. She also examines Roosevelt's own copies of his works at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, as well as other examples held in private collections and libraries. The collection at Harvard includes correspondence with publishers, manuscripts, and other resources that supported the research for this publication.



Designed by Scott Vile. Publication has been supported by a grant from the Houghton Library, Harvard University.