Friday, August 12, 2011

August 12 Birthday: Katharine Lee Bates


Katharine Lee Bates, author of words to America the Beautiful
Aug. 12, 1859-Mar. 28, 1929

Purple Mountain Majesties: The Story of Katharine Lee Bates and "America the Beautiful" by Barbara Younger, illustrated by Stacey Schuett (Turtleback Books, 2002)

Where do ideas come from? In this case, from majestic scenery. Inspired by view from Pikes Peak, Katharine Lee Bates began to write a poem that would become a national treasure.

View images from Pikes Peak Cam Top Peak Pics in Colorado Springs, Colorado for a sense of Bates' wonder.