Katharine Lee Bates
Birth: August 12, 1859
Death: March 28, 1929
Titles: Writer, activist
Related: Katharine Coman (partner), Colorado College
History
Katharine Lee Bates wrote the poem that would become the song "America the Beautiful" during her summer position, teaching English at Colorado College in 1893. She was accompanied by her life partner, Katharine Coman, to Colorado Springs. It was on a trip up Pikes Peak by Prairie Wagon with Coman and some friends that Bates was inspired to write the poem that would become "America the Beautiful," which she penned the first draft of a few days later.
Together, Bates and Coman had "an enchanted summer" in Colorado Springs.
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.
Community Impacts
America the Beautiful Park in Colorado Springs. is named after Katharine Lee Bates poem. It would also go on to be the site of many a Pikes Peak Pridefest celebration.
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. #key-date
References
- “Katharine Lee Bates,” Wikipedia, June 25, 2026, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Katharine_Lee_Bates&oldid=1361004330.