Discovering Hidden Presidential Treasures
What happens when a successful attorney walks away from 40 years of legal practice to follow his true passion? In our latest episode of “We Don’t Color On the Dog,” I sat down with Alan Manning—a man who did precisely that, and whose journey led him to some of the most remarkable historical discoveries you’ve never heard about.
Manning’s story isn’t your typical retirement tale. After building a thriving law career, he took what he calls a “five-year sabbatical” to teach American history at Pensacola Catholic High School. Now, as he approaches actual retirement, he’s chosen the classroom, returning to share his infectious passion for presidential history with a new generation of students.
Father Lincoln
But it’s Manning’s work as a presidential scholar that will truly captivate you. His first book challenged everything we thought we knew about Abraham Lincoln as a father, revealing a warm, engaged parent rather than the distant figure portrayed in most biographies. Through meticulous research, Manning discovered that the narrative of Lincoln’s strained relationship with his eldest son, Robert, was largely manufactured—a story created to emphasize Lincoln’s supposed sacrifice of family for country.
Grieving Fathers
His current project on Theodore Roosevelt has yielded even more extraordinary finds.
- Picture this: Manning is sitting in the Library of Congress, flipping through a manila folder of century-old correspondence, when he discovers the original condolence letter that Rudyard Kipling wrote to Roosevelt after the death of TR’s son Quentin in World War I. The moment sent chills down his spine—and led him on a transatlantic paper chase that uncovered Roosevelt’s own condolence letter to Kipling years earlier.
Another touching discovery involves Roosevelt’s parents. Manning uncovered their courtship letters—some of the most beautiful romantic correspondence you could imagine, written by a teenage southern belle and her young New York suitor. His detective work even led him to find the 1850s curriculum from her finishing school, including a course called “Belles Lettres”—literally “beautiful letters”—that taught young women the art of romantic correspondence.
Historical Insights
These aren’t just dusty academic pursuits. Manning’s research reveals the deeply human side of our most revered leaders, showing how ordinary family experiences shaped extraordinary historical figures. His upcoming book explores three generations of Roosevelt men and the “romantic virtues”—duty, service, chivalry, and faith—that defined their characters.
Whether you’re a history buff, an educator, or simply someone who appreciates a great story about following your passion, this conversation offers insights into both the art of historical research and the courage to pursue what truly matters to you.
