1938

The 14th National Spelling Bee took place on May 31st, 1938. It was held at the National Museum Auditorium in Washington, D.C., and 22 spellers participated.

Marian Richardson went on to earn degrees from Indiana University and the University of Chicago before beginning a career as a Chicago public school teacher. An environmental activist, she was well-known in her community for fighting to protect open space on Chicago’s Southeast Side.

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About the 14th Bee

Champion

Marian Richardson

Elizabeth, Indiana

Marian Richardson, age 12, sponsored by The Louisville Times, won the $500 prize by correctly spelling the word “sanitarium.”

Marian married and became Marian Byrnes. She was an environmental activist and died in 2010. No image of this champion has been found on record.

Location

National Museum Auditorium

Winning Word

sanitarium(n)

san-uh-TAYR-eeum

an institution for rest and recuperation especially for invalids and convalescents.

This word is from Latin.

OFFICIALS

Directors

Donald McWain

Pronouncers

  • Harold F. Harding

SPELLER ROSTER

  • Jean Angelo
  • Bettie Ashton
  • Helen Frances Colley
  • Marie Cuoco
  • Mary Louise Cutler
  • Corine Dunn
  • Betty Glenn
  • June Gumerson
  • Encil Hawkins
  • Anna Lee
  • Joanne Limber
  • Tom Martin
  • Raymond Mellinger
  • Joan Overholser
  • Jean I. Pierce
  • Loretta Quinn
  • Marian Richardson
  • Billy Sampson
  • Carolyn Sells
  • William Shawver
  • Eugene Taylor
  • Jean Taylor

* Winner
** Runner-Up