Archive of four TLSs by Joseph P. Kennedy, totaling five pages, dated from 1940 to 1951. All to noted gastroenterologist Sara Murray Jordan, including reports on his health and commentary on the situation in England during World War II. Letters are excerpted below.
August 1, 1940: "I have talked with Jack a couple of times on the telephone about his plans for next year and he told me of his talk with you, and I agree that it is the best thing to do. It is most unfortunate that Jack has this on his mind so much, and it is even more unfortunate that it happens to be one of those things that we are unable to straighten out for him. However, with the world in such a deplorable condition, I think it is much more important for Jack to get himself into shape than it is for him to go back to school. In addition to this I am, of course, hopeful that my task here will be over reasonably soon and that perhaps he and I can loaf together for a time. Strangely enough I have kept very well considering the great strain events over here have imposed on me. I think possibly because of that very fact I have taken better care of myself than usual…I am still hoping to be back there soon, but until Hitler comes over here and gives us all a good bombing I don't think I should leave, for I have gone through this with these people so far, and I couldn't walk out now. Of course I missed the children this summer more than I can tell…I am sure the American public believes now that instead of being too pessimistic I was not pessimistic enough. The outlook for the world, and the United States unfortunately is no exception, could not be blacker."
September 24, 1940: "First of all let me thank you most sincerely for your kindness in sending me the birthday greetings. They seemed to have much greater significance when extended along with a barrage of German bombs than they would under normal circumstances…As soon as I determine that, at least in my judgment, invasion is not imminent, I am going to come home. That is almost regardless of whether they want me to come home or not. I haven't any doubt, from letters I receive, that Mrs. Kennedy is not too comfortable these days and since it is almost a year since I started back, I feel I would like to see what is going on at home." He adds a handwritten postscript, recording vitals such as pulse and blood pressure.
February 6, 1951: "I was very, very happy to read in the New York Times the other day that you had received The Elizabeth Blackwell Citation."
August 23, 1954: "Thank you for your kind wire. Expressions of sympathy are a real sustaining comfort in our time of trial, and we greatly appreciate yours." He adds a poignant postscript, "It does seem, we've had our share."
In overall fine condition.
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