Background
Thompson was born in New York City in 1893. She was the daughter of Harry M. Thompson, a locomotive engineer.
(MALVINA "TOMMY" THOMPSON Eleanor Roosevelt's secretary an...)
MALVINA "TOMMY" THOMPSON Eleanor Roosevelt's secretary and companion sends a pleasant letter, signs name in black ink Typed letter signed: "Malvina T. Thompson" in black ink. 1 page, 6¼x9¼. Written on official White House letterhead. Washington, D.C. December 29, 1933. Addressed to Mrs. W.E. Anderson of San Benito, Texas. In full: "My dear Mrs. Anderson: At the request of Colonel Howe I am sending you the enclosed stamped envelopes for your collection. Very sincerely yours". Although calling herself a Secretary, Malvina Thompson (1903-1957) was much more than that to Eleanor Roosevelt before, during, and after ER's years in the White House. While campaigning for Democratic Presidential candidate Al Smith in 1928, Thompson first met Eleanor Roosevelt, later becoming her secretary, gatekeeper, travel manager and companion, and close friend. Thompson, called "Tommy" by the First Lady, became so dedicated to these tasks that her marriage foundered, and she declined to marry her later male companion on the grounds that she couldn't spare enough time to make a marriage work. Rumors have surfaced over the years of a possible romantic relationship between Thompson and Roosevelt due to their close friendship, though this has never been confirmed with any evidence. Normal mailing folds. Toned. Creased throughout. Stains in the left and right margins. Corners creased. Pencil notes on verso in unknown hand. Otherwise, fine condition. - Please contact us if you have any questions or require additional information. HFSID 326764
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Thompson was born in New York City in 1893. She was the daughter of Harry M. Thompson, a locomotive engineer.
She worked as a secretary for the American Red Cross from 1917 to 1922, when she accepted a similar position with the New York State Democratic Committee. It was while in this position that she first met Eleanor Roosevelt. In 1928, when Mrs. Roosevelt headed the women's activities section of Governor Alfred E. Smith's presidential campaign, Thompson became her part-time secretary. After Franklin D. Roosevelt's election as governor that year, she worked for Eleanor Roosevelt both in Albany and at the Roosevelt estate in Hyde Park, N. Y. In 1931 and 1932, still working part-time for Mrs. Roosevelt, Thompson was a full-time employee of Louis McHenry Howe, Franklin's personal secretary and adviser. After Roosevelt's election as president in 1932, Eleanor Roosevelt asked Thompson to accompany her to the White House and take charge of her correspondence. Thompson also served informally as adviser and editor for Eleanor Roosevelt's newspaper columns and books, and helped her perform the requisite political chores in her husband's reelection campaigns.
By the mid-1930's their professional relationship had evolved into a warm friendship. Working for Mrs. Roosevelt became Thompson's life. "My boss is a very big person, " she informed a friend, "just about the biggest person in the world. Anything I can do to help her – no matter what – justifies my existence. " Eleanor Roosevelt was especially sensitive and greatly appreciated Thompson's devotion. According to her friend and biographer Joseph P. Lash, "She needed to have people who were close to her, who in a sense were hers, to whom she was the one and only, and upon whom she could lavish help, attention, tenderness. Without such friends, she feared she would dry up and die. " Thompson, in turn, "made life possible" for Mrs. Roosevelt.
She was included in many family festivities and was almost always present when the First Lady entertained close friends. When Thompson became ill in 1938, Mrs. Roosevelt interrupted her schedule to be at her bedside. Also in 1938, she had an apartment built for her in her own favorite residence, the Val-Kill cottage, two miles east of the Roosevelt estate. During World War II, Thompson accompanied Mrs. Roosevelt on international trips.
After the president's death in 1945, she joined her at Val-Kill and later traveled abroad with her in connection with her duties as a United Nations delegate. She remained in charge of her demanding schedule and sometimes even made statements to the press in her name. By the late 1940's, however, the hectic pace began to take its toll. Although Eleanor Roosevelt had planned to take her to the 1951 United Nations General Assembly meeting in Paris, she was too exhausted to make the trip. Soon after her death, in New York City, Eleanor Roosevelt wrote in her "My Day" column that she had "learned for the first time what being alone was like. "
(MALVINA "TOMMY" THOMPSON Eleanor Roosevelt's secretary an...)
Quotes from others about the person
" 'Tommy' [the nickname given to her by the Roosevelts' daughter, Anna] is a wonderful person to keep one living up to one's obligations, because her conscience is of the New England variety, " Eleanor Roosevelt said. "At the same time, she has a real sense of humor and a real wit and has pulled us through many difficult situations. "
In September 1921 Thompson married Frank J. Scheider, a manual-training teacher. They were divorced in 1939 on the grounds of five years of voluntary separation. During her marriage she retained Thompson as her professional name.
