Harvard President writes President Lincoln About His Son’s Habits

January 20, 1862

Harvard President C.C. Felton wrote the president about his son, Harvard student ROBERT Todd Lincoln: “Your son has received a requisition to make up during the vacation. I take this occasion to say a word or two about him and his pursuits. Since he entered College his conduct and studies have been unexceptionable until recently; and I do not think he has even now gone far astray. But, of late, the Professors have been pained to notice that he has seemed to be on intimate terms with some of the idlest persons in his class. His studies generally have suffered detriment; and in the department of Chemistry, his failure has been complete.
“I trust this is only a temporary aberration; and I write to you, though I have no vote of censure to communicate, but in order that you may know how the case stand with him. He is good, ingenuous, frank and pleasant young man, with the ability to do well in every department. But he must guard against ‘good fellowship’. I have no doubt a word or two from you will set every thing right, for I feel quite sure that he has no bad habits as yet.

Advertisement