Ray Stannard Baker to Cary T. Grayson
Title
Ray Stannard Baker to Cary T. Grayson
Creator
Baker, Ray Stannard, 1870-1946
Identifier
WWP16814
Date
1936 January 8
Description
Ray Stannard Baker asks Cary Grayson to clarify the exact cause of Woodrow Wilson’s death, specifically whether he died of syphilis or not.
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Dear Dr. Grayson
Here is a point upon which I greatly need your help. I have had inquiries from time to time about the exact cause of President Wilson’s death. And once or twice recently I have had inquiries which indicated that the old story that the President died of syphilis was still current. Being a layman, I want to be very careful with my answer. I have memoranda of my talks with you at the time and I also have a very definite memorandum from Dr. Davis in which he speaks of the death as being due to a blood clot on the brain which, as I understand it, is a very indefinite and uncertain expression.
Would you be willing to give me in a line or so your own statement of the cause, that I could use? Sooner or later history is going to demand it and I’d like to be prepared.
I meant to have spoken to you when I was down there -- to you and Dr. Bloedorn -- regarding my own condition. I have felt pretty well since I came back from Florida last April, and have done a really considerable amount of work. I hoped that I might be able to get through this winter or at least a good part of it here, since I am so busy, but I find I cannot do it; that when I get very tired there is a return of the old symptoms. I had hoped that the strict regime that you prescribed would perhaps take care of me! I have therefore decided to cut and run immediately for Florida, and see if a good rest won’t put me in shape again. This old body of ours is a nuisance!
Cordially yours,
Ray Stannard Baker
Here is a point upon which I greatly need your help. I have had inquiries from time to time about the exact cause of President Wilson’s death. And once or twice recently I have had inquiries which indicated that the old story that the President died of syphilis was still current. Being a layman, I want to be very careful with my answer. I have memoranda of my talks with you at the time and I also have a very definite memorandum from Dr. Davis in which he speaks of the death as being due to a blood clot on the brain which, as I understand it, is a very indefinite and uncertain expression.
Would you be willing to give me in a line or so your own statement of the cause, that I could use? Sooner or later history is going to demand it and I’d like to be prepared.
I meant to have spoken to you when I was down there -- to you and Dr. Bloedorn -- regarding my own condition. I have felt pretty well since I came back from Florida last April, and have done a really considerable amount of work. I hoped that I might be able to get through this winter or at least a good part of it here, since I am so busy, but I find I cannot do it; that when I get very tired there is a return of the old symptoms. I had hoped that the strict regime that you prescribed would perhaps take care of me! I have therefore decided to cut and run immediately for Florida, and see if a good rest won’t put me in shape again. This old body of ours is a nuisance!
Cordially yours,
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,” 1936 January 8, WWP16814, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.