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It Seems to *Me It Seems to *Me Selected Letters of Eleanor Roosevelt Edited by Leonard C. Schlup AND Donald W. Whisenhunt THE UNIVERSITY PRESS OF KENTUCKY Publication of this volume was made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Copyright © 2001 by The University Press of Kentucky Paperback edition 2005 Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth, serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University. All rights reserved. Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky 663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008 www.kentuckypress.com 09 08 07 06 05 5 4 3 2 1 Frontispiece: Eleanor Roosevelt with her mail on the USS Sequoia. (Courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library) Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962. It seems to me: selected letters of Eleanor Roosevelt / edited by Leonard C. Schlup and Donald W. Whisenhunt p. cm. Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index. ISBN 0-8131-2185-X (cloth: acid-free paper) 1. Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962—Correspondence. 2. Presidents' spouses—United States—Correspondence. 3. Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962—Political and social views. 4. United States—Politics and government—1945-1989. I. Schlup, Leonard C, 1943- II. Whisenhunt, Donald W. III. Title. E807.1.R48A4 2001 00-012277 973.917'092—dc21 Paper ISBN 0-8131-9133-5 JfAt • W,Member of the Association of American University Presses This book is dedicated to the memory O/ELEANOR ROOSEVELT, first lady of the United States (1933-1945) and first lady of the world (1945-1962). Contents Foreword vii Introduction 1 Letters 13 Bibliography 283 Index 284 Foreword •leanor Roosevelt, arguably the most important woman of the twentieth century, has been the subject of considerable scholarship in recent years that focuses on the tensions between her public and private life. Examination of her close personal relationships, however, may tend to obscure the signifi- cance of her role as a stateswoman and professional political leader. This volume of selected letters is valuable because it shows a dimension of Eleanor Roosevelt lost in construction of a portrait that emphasizes her emotional life. Here we have her correspondence to a stunning array of individuals whose decisions affected the course of world and national affairs—Truman, Eisenhower, Churchill, Marshall, Harriman, Stevenson, Kennedy. These letters, most of which were taken from the vast collection of Eleanor Roosevelt papers at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York, have been available to scholars for years but never before published in a single volume. They picture Eleanor Roosevelt as a canny and astute adviser to presidents and would-be presidents, as a resourceful diplomat at the United Nations closely attuned to the currents of the Cold War, and as a powerful force in the Democratic Party. They show her lecturing President Truman, attempting to persuade Eisenhower to appear on her public affairs broad- casts, and critiquing Kennedy's television performance. What emerges is the voice of a shrewd, self-confident individual committed to both the Demo- cratic Party and a democratic way of life. Not all of the selections, however, are letters addressed to famous figures. The volume includes some correspondence with ordinary citizens to whom viii Foreword Eleanor Roosevelt expressed her views on controversial topics such as the conviction of Alger Hiss. Letters concerning her service on the board of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People demonstrates her commitment to civil rights. We also find references to her dispute with the Catholic church over aid to parochial schools. Unlike some of her biographies, the letters do not present Eleanor Roosevelt as a saint. They picture her as a very down-to-earth individual— making recommendations for political appointments, trying to arrange for Bernard Baruch to have access to the White House, refusing to loan money to the grandson of an old friend. Although the editors wisely have decided not to include letters to family members, nevertheless, elements of Eleanor Roosevelt's personality flavor this volume of what essentially is a collection of political views by an important participant in the post-World War II scene. Scholars and general readers alike should be grateful to the editors, Leonard C. Schlup and Donald W. Whisenhunt, for this fascinating volume that makes the study of Eleanor Roosevelt more accessible to the public. What is presented offers rich insights into a remarkable woman's life and times. Maurine H. Beasley University of Maryland

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One of the most important women of the American Century, Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) was also one of its most prolific letter writers. Yet never before has a selection of her letters to public figures, world leaders, and individuals outside her family been made available to general readers and to