Katharine Lee Bates
Info
Birth: August 12, 1859
Death: March 28, 1929
Titles:
Related people:
History
Katharine Lee Bates wrote "America the Beautiful" during her summer position, teaching English at Colorado College in 1893.
It is assumed that Bates was a lesbian, based on her letters and the fact that she shared a home with her companion Katharine Coman.
Katharine Lee Bates, recalling inspiration for the poem, originally titled "Pikes Peak"
One day some of the other teachers and I decided to go on a trip to 14,000-foot Pikes Peak. We hired a prairie wagon. Near the top we had to leave the wagon and go the rest of the way on mules. I was very tired. But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse.
Key Dates
- 1893 - During her summer teaching English at Colorado College, Katharine Lee Bates pens "America the Beautiful," inspired by a trip to the top of Pikes Peak.
References
- “Katharine Lee Bates,” Wikipedia, June 25, 2026, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Katharine_Lee_Bates&oldid=1361004330.