Curtis Roosevelt Papers, 1951-1982 | Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum
Collection Overview
Title: Curtis Roosevelt Papers, 1951-1982
Primary Creator: Roosevelt, Curtis (1930-)
Extent: 4.8 Cubic Feet
Languages: English
Collection Historical Note
Curtis Roosevelt is the eldest grandson of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Born on April 19, 1930, he is the son of Anna Roosevelt and Curtis Bean Dall. His older sister is Anna Eleanor Seagraves. Curtis and his sister were popularly known as "Sistie" and "Buzzie" during their early childhoods. Curtis legally changed his last name from Dall to Roosevelt in later years.
Curtis and his sister lived in the White House from September 1933 to November 1935, then visited frequently thereafter. He was there for Christmas 1936 through FDR's Second Inauguration in 1937. He was also there for Christmas 1939. Curtis and his sister returned to live in the White House with their mother Anna in 1944-1945 until FDR's death, although Curtis was at boarding schools during this period.
As a teenager, Curtis spent a short period in a hospital recovering from a mild attack of infantile paralysis.
In 1948, he accompanied his grandmother Eleanor Roosevelt to Paris, where Mrs.Roosevelt was attending a session of the United Nations General Assembly as a delegate from the United States.
After graduating from the Southwestern Military and Naval Academy at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, Curtis attended Loyola University in Los Angeles and graduate studies at Columbia University.
He held numerous positions in advertising and education during his professional career, including vice president for public affairs for The New School of Social Research, and he was regional director of the National Citizens Council for Better Schools.
In 1964, Curtis joined the Public Information Department at the United Nations as Chief of the Non-Governmental Organizations Section. He assisted civil, labor, church and other nongovernmental groups (NGOs) interested in United Nations activities.
In more recent years, Curtis has become a popular speaker and appears frequently in documentaries about his grandparents. In 2008, he wrote his memoir, Too Close to the Sun: Growing up in the Shadow of my Grandparents Franklin and Eleanor.
He is married and lives in southern France. He has one daughter by a previous marriage.
Administrative Information
Repository: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum
Access Restrictions: Audio/Video Interviews and Transcripts are restricted under the terms of Donor's Deed of Gift.
Use Restrictions: Copyright interest in these papers has been retained by the Donor.
Acquisition Source: Curtis Roosevelt
Acquisition Method: The papers were donated to the Library by Curtis Roosevelt.
Related Materials: Franklin D. Roosevelt Papers; Eleanor Roosevelt Papers; Anna Roosevelt Halsted Papers.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: United Nations Files],
[Series 2: Personal Materials],
[All]
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Series 2: Personal Materials -
Box 7 -
Box 8 -
Correspondence - Eleanor Roosevelt -
Correspondence - Curtis B. Dall -
Correspondence - Family -
Correspondence - General -
Formal Invitations -
Taxes and Expenses, 1958-1960 -
Letters From ER (and Malvina Thompson)-Copies -
Letters To Anna Roosevelt From Curtis Roosevelt.- Copies -
Letters To Curtis B. Dall From Eleanor Roosevelt, Franklin D, Roosevelt
and Sarah Roosevelt - Copies
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Letter, Earl Miller To Eleanor Roosevelt-Copy, 1951 -
Newspaper Articles -
NYC Organizations, 1957 - 1960 -
Photographs Curtis Roosevelt -
Photographs Sis and Buzz Growing Up -
Photographs Roosevelt Family -
Programs -
Receipts -
Script and Correspondence on "First Lady of the World", 1980 -
The New School, 1958 - 1960 -
Telephone Slips and Business Cards -
Village Independent Democrats, 1959
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Box 9
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Browse by Series:
[Series 1: United Nations Files],
[Series 2: Personal Materials],
[All]