Books and Manuscripts

London: George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for The British and Foreign Bible Society, 1864. 8vo. Inlaid wooden binding with "Elliott Roosevelt/Feb 28 1873" on front board, now detached, and "Mt of Olives" on rear board; spine perished; first signature disbound but present, final signature loose.

Inscribed on first free leaf to Theodore Roosevelt's younger brother Elliott: "Elliott Roosevelt/with a great deal of/love from his sister/A.L.R./Jerusalem/Feb 28th 1873." A thirteenth birthday gift to Elliott from his older sister Anna. Underneath that inscription is a second one, dated May 25/93, which lists seven biblical readings then "Elliot jr - (Little Josh) - Died May 25/93 Buried at Tivoli May 27/93. Saturday 'Father Wait for me'--/J. West Roosevelt 'I will not leave you...'". Elliott Roosevelt's first son died of either scarlet fever or diphtheria when he was just 3 years old. Roosevelt himself would die just 15 months later, aged 34. Laid in is a blank prescription from his cousin Dr. J. West Roosevelt's medical practice with the entire "I will not leave you" quote in full.

Elliott Bulloch Roosevelt was born on February 28, 1860 and was the younger brother of future president Theodore Roosevelt and the father of future first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. His wife Anna predeceased both husband and son, dying December 7, 1892, aged just 29.