FIRST LADY ELEANOR ROOSEVELT MENTIONS FALA, THE ROOSEVELTS’ FAMOUS SCOTTIE DOG

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT (1884-1962). Roosevelt was First Lady from 1933 to 1945, as well as a prominent human rights activist.

TLS. 1pg. June 11, 1943. The White House. A typed letter signed “Eleanor Roosevelt” as First Lady. On “The White House” letterhead, Roosevelt discusses her famous Presidential dog, Fala the Scottish Terrier: “Dear Mrs. Tucker: Thank you for your letter. There have been so many things written about Falla [sic] and there is also a movie and I do not think there is anything I could add to the story of Falla [sic] and the Princesses. In any case, I will not be in New York City with any free time for the next several weeks. Very sincerely yours, Eleanor Roosevelt”. The movie Roosevelt refers to was produced by MGM about life in the White House. During his final Presidential campaign the following year, FDR would make a speech refuting claims that he had forgotten Fala in the Aleutian Islands and sent a destroyer to reclaim him, at taxpayer expense, saying that he felt justified in objecting to libel surrounding his dog. Fala is represented alongside FDR on his memorial in Washington D.C. It is in very good condition, with an area of toning.