Ray Stannard Baker to Cary T. Grayson
Title
Ray Stannard Baker to Cary T. Grayson
Creator
Baker, Ray Stannard, 1870-1946
Identifier
WWP16538
Date
1924 February 9
Description
Ray Stannard Baker encourages Cary T. Grayson to write a biography of Wilson.
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Dear Admiral
Since I came back home I have been turning over in my mind the many and deep impressions and emotions I had during those days in Washington. As the meaning of the life of Woodrow Wilson grows clearer to me it seems to me I would like to devote more energy than ever before to spreading and making clear the essential things he stood for.
Now it seems to me that a great deal depends in the future upon the right and true interpretation of his life, and this is the reason that I am writing you now -- so soon. I am fearful lest someone who does not understand will become the appointed interpreter of his life and his letters. I know and you know what great pressure there will be.
I had the matter up once or twice with both Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. Mrs. Wilson was very friendly and even suggested that I speak to Mr. Wilson about it, which I did. Later, only a few weeks before his death, I wrote to him about it, and on January 78th he replied. I will enclose copies of both my letter andhis answer so that you can see exactly how it stands.
In my talk with him, even more than in his letter, he seemed to shrink from the idea of “making too much,” as he says, “of a single man,” and the need of emphasizing the principles. You can see from this letter of his how he refers to the years going by -- as though he expected to live a long time.
But now he is gone, and someone, sooner or later, is going to write the authentic life. As I said in my letter to him, if there is anyone who can do it better than I can, with clearer understanding or a broader background of knowledge, he ought to be the man -- the work itself is truly the important thing -- and I will help him to the limit. I mean this.
But I believe I am the logical man to do the work. I think you know me well enough to know that I am not saying this in vanity, but because I have unusual foundations of knowledge and experience together with that association which, along with you but in a far lesser degree, I had at Paris.
Mr. Wilson himself evidently thought I was the man to do it -- if anybody -- for, as he says in his letter:
“I think there is no man who could do what you propose * * * as well as you could.”
Now this matter is bound to come up soon. The public interest is great. I want you to know how the matter stands with me and I want your advice as to what I had better do. The last thing I should want would be to intrude upon Mrs. Wilson in her sorrow and woreariness. I know that you know her and the situation better than any other human being.
The great thing, of course, is for the man who does this book of the Life and Letters to have the full authorization of Mrs. Wilson and full access to the letters and papers, and then be given plenty of time to do an honest and thorough job. And I think it should begin as soon as possible.
If you think there would be any point in my going to Washington, I can go quickly at any moment that you may wire or write.
I am very glad you have held back upon your own material. It will be all the better and greater because more complete. Your book cannot fail to be a fine one, for you can present as no one else the human, intimate and personal side of this great man. If it is properly done it will be one of the great, permanent, human books. Later, if I can help you in any way in these matters you know I shall more than gladly do it.
Cordially,
Ray Stannard Baker
Since I came back home I have been turning over in my mind the many and deep impressions and emotions I had during those days in Washington. As the meaning of the life of Woodrow Wilson grows clearer to me it seems to me I would like to devote more energy than ever before to spreading and making clear the essential things he stood for.
Now it seems to me that a great deal depends in the future upon the right and true interpretation of his life, and this is the reason that I am writing you now -- so soon. I am fearful lest someone who does not understand will become the appointed interpreter of his life and his letters. I know and you know what great pressure there will be.
I had the matter up once or twice with both Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. Mrs. Wilson was very friendly and even suggested that I speak to Mr. Wilson about it, which I did. Later, only a few weeks before his death, I wrote to him about it, and on January 78th he replied. I will enclose copies of both my letter andhis answer so that you can see exactly how it stands.
In my talk with him, even more than in his letter, he seemed to shrink from the idea of “making too much,” as he says, “of a single man,” and the need of emphasizing the principles. You can see from this letter of his how he refers to the years going by -- as though he expected to live a long time.
But now he is gone, and someone, sooner or later, is going to write the authentic life. As I said in my letter to him, if there is anyone who can do it better than I can, with clearer understanding or a broader background of knowledge, he ought to be the man -- the work itself is truly the important thing -- and I will help him to the limit. I mean this.
But I believe I am the logical man to do the work. I think you know me well enough to know that I am not saying this in vanity, but because I have unusual foundations of knowledge and experience together with that association which, along with you but in a far lesser degree, I had at Paris.
Mr. Wilson himself evidently thought I was the man to do it -- if anybody -- for, as he says in his letter:
“I think there is no man who could do what you propose * * * as well as you could.”
Now this matter is bound to come up soon. The public interest is great. I want you to know how the matter stands with me and I want your advice as to what I had better do. The last thing I should want would be to intrude upon Mrs. Wilson in her sorrow and woreariness. I know that you know her and the situation better than any other human being.
The great thing, of course, is for the man who does this book of the Life and Letters to have the full authorization of Mrs. Wilson and full access to the letters and papers, and then be given plenty of time to do an honest and thorough job. And I think it should begin as soon as possible.
If you think there would be any point in my going to Washington, I can go quickly at any moment that you may wire or write.
I am very glad you have held back upon your own material. It will be all the better and greater because more complete. Your book cannot fail to be a fine one, for you can present as no one else the human, intimate and personal side of this great man. If it is properly done it will be one of the great, permanent, human books. Later, if I can help you in any way in these matters you know I shall more than gladly do it.
Cordially,
Ray Stannard Baker
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Files
Collection
Citation
Baker, Ray Stannard, 1870-1946, “Ray Stannard Baker to Cary T. Grayson,” 1924 February 9, WWP16538, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.