Rita Halle Kleeman Papers, 1854-1988 | Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Collection Overview

Title: Rita Halle Kleeman Papers, 1854-1988

Primary Creator: Kleeman, Rita Halle, b. 1885

Extent: -1.0 Cubic Feet

Arrangement: Housed in two boxes, this collection is arranged in three series: Correspondence, Writings, and Miscellaneous Materials.

Date Acquired: 02/11/1946. More info below under Accruals.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection consists of the manuscript of Rita Kleeman's Gracious Lady, with corrections by Franklin D. Roosevelt; correspondence with Sara Delano Roosevelt and others pertaining to the book; printed matter, photographs, and other materials related to the book; and copies of Roosevelt family papers circa 1854-1910.

Collection Historical Note

Rita Halle Kleeman was a family friend of the Roosevelts and a writer. She wrote the biographies Young Franklin Roosevelt and Gracious Lady about Sara Delano Roosevelt. From 1941 to 1945 she was a member of the Writers War Board.

Administrative Information

Repository: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Accruals: After the initial acquistion, additional materials were acquired from Roger Halle in 1985, 1988, and 1990.

Access Restrictions: This collection is available for use by the general public.

Use Restrictions: This material is subject to copyright restrictions under Title 17 of the U.S. Code.

Acquisition Source: Rita Halle Kleeman

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Correspondence],
[Series 2: Writings],
[Series 3: Miscellaneous Materials],
[All]

Series 1: Correspondence

Box 1: correspondence to, from, and concerning Sara Delano Roosevelt; correspondence regarding Sara Delano Roosevelt and Gracious Lady; and correspondence and comments by Roger Halle and Rita Kleeman regarding Sara Delano Roosevelt.

Box 2: correspondence from Roosevelt and Delano family members.

Box 1

Correspondence and Articles re Sara Delano Roosevelt and Gracious Lady, 1935-1957
Correspondence and Comments by Roger Halle and Rita Halle Kleeman about Sara Delano Roosevelt, 1968-1988
Correspondence with Sara D. Roosevelt, 1934-1941 and undated
Copies of Correspondence with Sara D. Roosevelt et al., 1935-1941
Correspondence with Roosevelt Family et al re Gracious Lady, 1934-1941

Box 2

Letters from Roosevelt and Delano Family Members, 1933-1942

Series 2: Writings

Box 2: articles and notes for articles by Rita Kleeman on Sara Delano Roosevelt and other subjects; and draft manuscript of Gracious Lady (2 folders).

Box 2

Articles and Notes for Articles
Biography of Sara Delano Roosevelt (1)
Biography of Sara Delano Roosevelt (2)
Manuscripts for Magazine articles on Sara Delano Roosevelt
Materials for articles after death of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Sara D. Roosevelt, 1937-1945

Series 3: Miscellaneous Materials

Box 2: log of a trip to China; photographs and photocopies of photographs; reviews of Gracious Lady and other clippings; and miscellaneous materials including a typescript and photocopies of Franklin D. Roosevelt's childhood drawings and letters to his parents (one folder).

Box 2

Log of a Trip to China, 1862
Photostats and Photographs
Reviews of Gracious Lady and Other Clippings
Roosevelt, Sara Delano - Diaries and Ancestory
Miscellaneous Materials

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Correspondence],
[Series 2: Writings],
[Series 3: Miscellaneous Materials],
[All]