2000.1.1434

Benjamin Ide Wheeler and Theodore Roosevelt standing side by side at the Greek Theater on the University of California, Berkeley campus. both are attired in formal cap and gown. There are three captions for this Tribune photo that describe the background for this photo. The first, dated April 12, 1934, reads: "The United States enjoyed the 'big stick' era of government. That's when these two pictures [Only one shown in this catalog number] were taken. They show the then President Theodore Roosevelt during his visit to the Bay District on May 14, 1903, when he made the commencement day address at the University of California....and (facing camera) with the late Benjamin Ide Wheeler, then the University's president as they left the new amphitheater following the conference of an honorary degree upon the famed speaker of the day. This transpired during the first term of the then energetic President of the United States, who a little more than three years later directed the country through a 'depression' then characterized as the 'worst in history.' This is one of a series of photographic reminiscences of days now gone." The second caption, dated July 10, 1938, reads "President Theodore Roosevelt received an honorary degree from President Benjamin Ide Wheeler of the University of California on his visit to the Bay district May 14, 1903." The third caption, dated May 1, 1952, [a Centennial Edition] reads "Two presidents---Theodore Roosevelt of the U.S. and Benjamin Ide Wheeler of U.C. in 1903."

Used: Oakland Tribune