Lifelong Explorer

Part of Theodore Roosevelt Memorial.

"No man leads a hardier or more adventurous life than the collecting naturalist whose quest takes him to the uttermost parts of the earth...If he has eyes to see he will have many a tale to tell...of true stories of adventure in strange lands." —Theodore Roosevelt

March 1909
Theodore Roosevelt (standing, second from left) and six other people sit and stand in front of American flag and trees.
Travels to Africa: With son Kermit and three Smithsonian naturalists, spends a year collecting specimens.
© AMNH
Cover of a 1909 edition of The Washington Times with headline "Roosevelt Sails for Africa Amid Cheers of Thousands" and image of Roosevelt.
Sails for Mombasa: To busy himself during his post-presidency, Roosevelt and his son travel to Africa to collect specimens for the Smithsonian. Thousands of admirers turn out to see him off.
© AMNH
A map of "British East Africa" and "German East Africa" and Congo with a bright line running through the region.
The Roosevelt party traveled through British East Africa (now Kenya), Uganda and Sudan (now separated into South Sudan and Sudan). Theodore’s wife Edith met her husband and son in Sudan and traveled with them into what is now Egypt.
© AMNH
About 19 people walk in a single file line, carrying boxes and various supplies on their heads.
For parts of the trip, porters carried all the expedition’s supplies, including tons of curing salt to preserve specimens and the famous "Pigskin Library," 46 volumes selected by Roosevelt and specially bound in the leather he thought would hold up best in the field.
© AMNH
Two people stand in isolated landscape, both wearing wide-brimmed hats.
At 20, Kermit was an eager explorer and avid hunter. He also served as the official photographer of the expedition. His first lessons in photography came from AMNH’s Frank Chapman. 
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Square image with an illustration of Theodore Roosevelt in a pith helmet with text "Theodore Roosevelt's First African Article."
After the White House, Roosevelt supported himself largely through writing. The series of articles he sent home from Africa for Scribner’s magazine were later collected in the book African Game Trails.
© AMNH
1910
Two books pictured from the spines, which read "African Game Trails" by Theodore Roosevelt Volumes I & II.

Publishes African Game Trails: The book—collected articles written during his Africa trip—is one of many written to support himself after his presidency. 

© AMNH

October 1910

Flies in Airplane: Former President Roosevelt is the first Commander-in-Chief to fly in a plane. 

February 1912
Theodore Roosevelt, standing on a platform, speaking to a crowd of people.
Announces Candidacy for President: Tries for Republican presidential nomination. Loses nomination, and forms “Bull Moose” party to continue unprecedented run for a third term. 
© AMNH
View of Theodore Roosevelt Park, with bushes and flowers in foreground and flat, grassy area in background surrounded by trees.
At AMNH | Theodore Roosevelt Park (Outside the Museum): The grounds surrounding the Museum, originally known as Manhattan Square, were renamed Theodore Roosevelt Park in 1958, on the 100th anniversary of his birth. The area includes the Bull Moose Dog Run and an obelisk inscribed with the names of American Nobel Prize winners—including the first winner, Theodore Roosevelt. 
© AMNH
Summer 1912

Campaigns from Sagamore Hill: Roosevelt maintained his "strenuous life" at Sagamore Hill. He chopped wood, rode horses and campaigned from his Long Island home.

October 14, 1912
A copy of Theodore Roosevelt's typed speech, held together with a paper clip, with two holes in it and a damaged glasses case.

Shot By Assassin: Bullet passes through a 50-page speech and glasses case, lodging in a rib. Gives scheduled speech, saying, "It takes more than that to kill a bull moose."

© AMNH

November 5, 1912

Edmund Morris: Loses the presidency to Wilson, but places second, ahead of incumbent Taft.

August 1913

David Hurst Thomas: Visits Hopi, Arizona; over the years, Roosevelt developed a keen interest in Native cultures.

1913
Book cover with a profile image of Theodore Roosevelt in a circle and text reading "Theodore Roosevelt: An Autobiography."

Publishes Autobiography: Roosevelt writes about his life, from childhood through his presidency.

© AMNH

October 1913

Patricia O'Toole: Roosevelt agrees to help map an uncharted river; discovers it's an Amazon tributary. 

February-April, 1914

Maps River of Doubt: Among the obstacles were severe rapids that the group avoided by cutting paths through the jungle and hauling heavy, dugout canoes. After many portages, three deaths and dangerous food shortages, the river, now Rio Roosevelt, was mapped.

May 1914
Theodore Roosevelt and another person stand in front of a map of South America, as Theodore Roosevelt points to a section of the map.
Defends His Findings: When geographers doubt the discovery of a river nearly 1,000 miles long, Roosevelt quickly persuades them they are wrong. 
© AMNH
Dung and skin of an ancient ground sloth on display in the Museum.
At AMNH | Hall of South American Peoples (Floor 2): Roosevelt donated many objects to the Museum, including this skin and dung of an extinct giant ground sloth from South America. The skin specimen, discovered in the late 1890s in a cave in southern Chile, is now in the "Early Peoples" sections of the Hall of South American Peoples on the second floor.
© AMNH
Four necklaces with different beads and colors looped around a cylinder.
At AMNH | Hall of South American Peoples (Floor 2): Roosevelt collected this palm nut bead necklace (second from right) in Brazil. It was made by the indigenous Nambikuara peoples and is now on display in the Adornment case of the Hall of South American Peoples on the second floor. 
© AMNH
A bamboo flute against a light background.
At AMNH | Hall of South American Peoples (Floor 2): Roosevelt collected this bamboo flute during his 1913-1914 journey in South America, shortly before an expedition down the uncharted Amazon tributary, Rio da Dúvida—the River of Doubt. This flute was made by the indigenous Paressí people, of Brazil. Visitors can see it on display in the Music section of the Hall of South American Peoples on the second floor. 
© AMNH
1914

Spends Time at Sagamore Hill: Roosevelt was extremely fond of his family home in Long Island, New York. While there, he spent time outdoors and with his family.

July 28, 1914
Four people, including Archie Roosevelt seated on the floor, and Kermit Roosevelt seated to the right.

Start of WWI: The Roosevelts support the war effort. All four sons volunteer (Archie seated on floor; Kermit on right)

© AMNH

June 1915

Visits Bird Reservation: Roosevelt, a lifelong ornithologist, watches birds, sits by the water and explores wetlands during this visit to Breton Island Bird Reservation, Louisiana.

July 14, 1918
Quentin Roosevelt sitting in a small plane.

Son Dies: Roosevelt's youngest son, Quentin, is killed in France while serving as a fighter pilot. Two other sons are wounded but recover. 

© AMNH

1918

Edmund Morris: After his 1912 presidential run, Roosevelt devotes himself to writing. 

January 6, 1919

Dies: Roosevelt dies in his sleep at Sagamore Hill. He is 60 years old. 

Article Young Naturalist From boyhood, Theodore Roosevelt showed restless energy, penetrating intellect, and boundless curiosity. Article Firsthand Observer Theodore Roosevelt traveled west in 1883 to pursue his boyhood dream of frontier life. Article Conservation President Roosevelt’s presidency marked a turning point for the nation’s wilderness and wildlife. Article Conservation Legacy Today, global conservation efforts continue Roosevelt’s legacy by working to conserve the environment for future generations.