The 34th Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee took place on May 31st and June 1st, 1961. It was held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., and 73 spellers participated.

The 1961 National Competition was the first year that Dr. Richard R. Baker served as pronouncer. He took over the post from Benson S. Alleman, who had performed the role for 13 years. Dr. Baker was a professor of philosophy at the University of Dayton who served as pronouncer of the Dayton Daily News Spelling Bee for four years before joining the panel of officials in Washington, D.C. Dr. Baker was pronouncer of the National Spelling Bee for 20 years before his retirement in 1980.

Learn more