There are many to choose from, but here’s a good once circa 1886. As he ranches in the Dakotas, TR finishes writing a chapter of his book on Thomas Hart Benton (the senator, not the painter, who is probably better known today). Then he takes off in a river boat to catch some horse thieves. Before leaving, he grabs reading material: Matthew Arnold and Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina. He embarks on his boat chase and catches the thieves. Upon his return, he sends a letter to his sister in which he explains his mixed feelings about Anna Karenina.

TR was a scholar-adventurer. He was a force of nature, too. It’s okay to admire the man, but beware the cult of personality that can surround him.