Professor Hamilton's Diary: July 8, 1935

He gets a new shirt for his birthday; Wallace dances with Ginger Rogers

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt shares laughs with Ginger Rogers, far right, and her mother, at the Shoreham’s Birthday Ball.

Noting at the top of the page that it was his birthday — he turned 34 — Professor Hamilton detailed his activities as he finalized his dissertation. He had a meeting with his academic advisor in Scarsdale, which was very encouraging. “He praised my revisions,” he wrote and they made plans to meet again July 29. Back in Bronxville at his in-law’s home, they had a family supper at which the children sang “Happy Birthday.” He was obviously touched by Margaret’s gesture: “Margaret gave me a fine white shirt for my birthday!” Leaving the children with Margaret’s parents, they called on friends, staying out until 10:30.

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