Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Illustration for The True Story of Fala
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Illustration for The True Story of Fala

Artifact IDMO 1977.27.22
Object Type Drawing
Artist (American, born 1910)
Dateca. 1942
Mediumcarbon pencil on artist's board
Dimensionsoverall H 11 in x W 7 1/2 in (27.9 cm x 19.1 cm )
Physical DescriptionAn illustration of the Scottie dog, Fala, done with a Wolff's pencil on a piece of white artist's board. It depicts a row of reclining men, bare feet and lower legs visible, with Fala proceeding down the line licking toes. A circled "17" is written in pencil in the upper right corner of the board. A pencil arrow is at the center of each edge, and measurements are written in pencil at the bottom of the board: C2795 / Mat / 3" Top + Sides / 4" Bottom.

The drawing comes with a separate tracing paper overlay on which artist's notes are written.
Historical NoteThis drawing is part of a collection (MO 1977.27.1-22) of twenty-two original illustrations of Fala done by Elizabeth N. Fairchild for the book, The True Story of Fala. The book was written by Margaret “Daisy” Suckley and Alice Dalgliesh, and published by Scribner Sons in 1942.

The scene depicted in this particular drawing refers to a situation on the ship, Tuscalosa, in the West Indies. It was a hot day and the sailors were trying to cool off by lying on the deck. Stretched out in a row, their bare feet were lined up. Fala caused quite a commotion by moving quickly along the row licking and tickling their feet.

Franklin Roosevelt had a lifelong affection for pets. The best known was Fala, a Scottish terrier given to him by his distant cousin, Daisy Suckley, in 1940. During World War II, Fala became FDR's constant companion and the most famous dog in America.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the FDR Library by the artist, Elizabeth N. Fairchild, in 1977.
Credit LineGift of Elizabeth N. Fairchild
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGift Items and Commemorative Artifacts (National Archives Identifier 782690)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Related Links