ERNEST SETON-THOMPSON - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 03/21/1907 - HFSID 18674

ERNEST SETON-THOMPSON
Ernest Seton-Thompson sends an autograph letter asking for help.
Autograph Letter signed: "Ernest T Seton/[He has drawn his characteristic wolf's paw print below his signature]", 1 page, 5x6½. Cos Cob, Connecticut, 1907 March 21. To "My dear Dr Bell". He has added pen strokes beneath his signature representing a wolf paw. In full: "Will you kindly look over this copy of yours & fill in one or two words that we could not quite make sure of. Am awfully sorry to bother you again. With kind regards I am yours sincerely." Docketed on verso. Pencil note (unknown hand) on verso: "To Robert Bell/Canadian geologist." Born in England, raised in Canada, Ernest Seton-Thompson (1860-1946) was a popular writer and illustrator of youth-oriented books on nature and wood lore. He was active in the founding of the Boy Scouts, serving as Chief Scout (1910-1915). However, he broke with other scout leaders over two issues: the Boy Scouts' military style and their reluctance to incorporate younger boys ("Cub Scouts") into the organization, with the bear cub as symbol. In 1915, Seton-Thompson formed a rival youth movement, the Woodcraft League, but of course Scouting later did adopt his cub scout idea. He was born Ernest Seton Thompson. When he learned that his Scottish ancestors, in hiding after the Battle of Culloden (1746) had adopted the English name of Thompson to hide themselves, he resolved to reassume the old family name. Out of deference to his mother, he wrote as Ernest Seton-Thompson until her death in 1897. Thereafter, he adopted the name of Ernest T. Seton. Robert BELL (1841-1917) was assistant director of Canada's national geologic survey and a strong advocate for the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. He published many articles on geology and natural history. Slightly soiled. Vertical fold crosses "t" of "Ernest". Overall, fine condition.