Sold – Theodore Roosevelt Welcomes His Young Cousin to the Profession of Journalism

Philip Roosevelt was a cousin to Theodore Roosevelt, and being the same age as the President’s children, he accompanied them on trips and engaged with them in mutual enterprises, business and otherwise. After his graduation from Harvard in 1912, he campaigned with his uncle and was present when TR was shot on October 14 of that year. In late summer 1916, a new semi-monthly journal entitled “Aviation and Aeronautical Engineering” began publishing in New York City (today it remains in print as “Aviation Week & Space Technology). It was devoted to the theoretical, technical and mechanical problems of aeronautics, and Philip Roosevelt became its first military editor. As a military-aviation journalist he became as well versed on the subject of aerial warfare as anyone in the United States, and immediately after Congress declared war in 1917, the Signal Corps brass called him to Washington to help plan America’s aviation mobilization. He then entered the service and played a major role in organizing the Army Air Force.

In addition to being a politician, president, and sportsman, Theodore Roosevelt was a successful author and journalist. In fact, after he left the presidency he signed on as Associate Editor of “The Outlook” magazine. He was delighted to see his young cousin join the journalistic field, and as an editor besides. Autograph Letter Signed on his Sagamore Hill letterhead, Oyster Bay, N.Y., late summer 1916, to Philip Roosevelt, welcoming to the profession. “Dear Phil, I am immensely pleased to learn what you have done – and how you have done it. I believe it to be the wise action. Good luck, fellow editor! Yours affectionately, Theodore Roosevelt.” A very uncommon communication from within the Roosevelt family.