Theodore Roosevelt in Africa
K: Cherry Kearton. P: Pathé Frères. USA 1909/1910
Print: Library of Congress / Theodore Roosevelt Association Collection
Film appears to be fragment of production Roosevelt in Africa, released April 18, 1910.
“Despite riding the crest of an unprecedented wave of popularity, Theodore Roosevelt declined to run again for the presidency in 1908. He anointed William Howard Taft, his close friend and Secretary of War as his successor. Taft easily won the election defeating William Jennings Bryan in his third and final attempt to gain the Oval Office.
Immediately following Taft’s inauguration in 1909, T.R. set out for Africa to hunt big game and collect specimens for the Smithsonian Institution. His decision was based on his desire to leave the political stage to his successor and on his natural need for action.
In April 1909, he landed in Mambasa with his son Kermit. Roosevelt, at the head of a safari including 250 porters and guides, trekked across British East Africa, into the Belgian Congo and back to the Nile ending in Khartoum. The ex-president thoroughly enjoyed himself. The expedition collected 1,100 specimens, including 500 big game. ‘The most noteworthy collection of big animals that has ever come out of Africa’, he exclaimed.
Unfortunately for the animals, ‘collected’ in those days was an euphemism for shot and killed. Between the two of them, Theodore and Kermit slew 512 beasts including 17 lion, 11 elephant and 20 rhinoceros. The remaining animals were no doubt happy to see T.R. leave the plain. After the year-long hunt, Roosevelt proceeded to England for the funeral of King Edward VII and then on to Norway to accept the Nobel Peace Prize for his part in ending the Russo-Japanese War. He returned to the U.S. in June, 1910.”
On Safari With Theodore Roosevelt, 1909. EyeWitness to History
Eye Witness to History
Theodore Roosevelts Arrival in Africa
USA 1909 (?)
Print: Library of Congress / Theodore Roosevelt Association Collection
“Animated caricature of the animals’ attitude towards TR’s arrival in Africa. (…) Appears to be based on Homer Davenport‘s cartoon ‘The frightened animals; hist! see who’s coming’, originally published in The Evening mail, New York, March 23, 1909.”
Library of Congress
>>> Theodore Roosevelt’s First Flight on this website