Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895

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America (My country 'tis of thee) was premiered on 4 July 1831, at a children's celebration in the Park Street Church of Boston. It was written approximately 6 months earlier.

From the description of My country 'tis of thee : manuscript, [1831] (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 612783134

Writer of the words to song America also called My Country Tis of Thee.

From the description of One stanza of America. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 55492324

Samuel F. Smith, Baptist cleryman, editor and poet, author of "America." In 1832, Smith graduated from Andover Theological Seminary, and soon was ordained as a Baptist minister. From 1834 to 1842, he was professor of modern languages at Waterville College, Waterville, Maine and the pastor the First Waterville Baptist Church. In 1834, he married Mary White Smith. In 1841, Smith accepted a job as the editor of The Christian Review and returned to Boston. He also served as pastor at the Newton Center Baptist Church, just outside of Boston. In 1854, Smith became the secretary of the Baptist Missionary Union.

From the description of Papers of Samuel Francis Smith, 1822-1894 (bulk 1829-1840). (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 228736232

Rev. Samuel F. Smith, D.D., an ordained Baptist minister, was the author of the song "America."

From the description of Ms poem : Missionary Hynn for the Boston Young Men's Social Union, [18]95 March 19. (Boston Public Library). WorldCat record id: 37585592

American Baptist clergyman and poet born in Boston, Mass. He wrote the national hymn "My country 'tis of thee" in 1832 while attending Andover Theological Seminary.

From the description of Samuel F. Smith letter : Newton Centre, Mass., to Franklin W. Smith, 1895 Aug. 15. (Buffalo History Museum). WorldCat record id: 170581850

American Baptist clergyman and poet.

From the description of America : [n.p.] : autograph fair copy of the poem signed, "Written in 1832" but copied out at a later date. (Morgan Library & Museum). WorldCat record id: 78715108

From the description of America : autograph fair copy of the poem signed, [1832 or later]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270661986

Baptist minister, editor, and poet.

From the description of Papers, 1832-1967. (Andover Newton Theological School). WorldCat record id: 12195678

Samuel Francis Smith (1808-1895) was an American Baptist minister, journalist and author from Boston. He graduated from Harvard and after trying a career in journalism attended Andover Theological Seminary. He is best known for having written the lyrics to "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" (the tune is considerably older) which he originally called "America," and which was first performed on July 4, 1831.

From the guide to the Samuel Francis Smith Manuscripts, 1815-1889, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)

Smith was a Baptist clergyman and poet.

From the description of AMsS, 1892 November 8. : "My Country, 'tis of Thee." (Copley Press, J S Copley Library). WorldCat record id: 17351567

J.J. Nagel was a school principal in Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Smith was in Davenport to visit his son, who introduced him to Mr. Nagel at church the day before Smith presented this to him. Smith had originally written this piece in 1832.

From the description of America : holograph copy of lyrics written by Smith for J. J. Nagel, 1893 May 1. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122546547

Samuel Francis Smith was an American clergyman and writer, best known as the author of the song, America. Born in Boston, he was educated at Harvard University and the Andover Theological Seminary. While at Andover, Smith was asked by Lowell Mason to write or translate lyrics for German songs; he wrote "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," later published as "America," as part of this project, reportedly dashing off the original five verses in thirty minutes to the tune of God Save the King. Smith later held several positions as pastor or teacher, travelled widely as a missionary, and continued to write both poetry and prose throughout his life.

From the description of America, 1893 October 24. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 232360865

Clergyman & poet.

From the description of Papers of Samuel F. Smith [manuscript], 1884-1895. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647814580

American clergyman, editor, poet; author of "America."

From the description of Poem to his wife, 1895 September 16. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 49321951

Author of the patriotic song, "America."

From the description of Papers, 1831-1936. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 32878788

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn [Collection of newspaper articles and biographical information about Samuel Francis Smith]. Minuteman Library Network
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. My country, 'tis of thee : poem, [ca. 1831?]. Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
referencedIn Colles family papers, 1801-1957 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Samuel Francis Smith Manuscripts, 1815-1889 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. History of Newton manuscript / S.F. Smith. Minuteman Library Network
referencedIn East Hampton Free Library. Home Sweet Home collection, 1809-1883. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
creatorOf Mansfield, Gideon M. Autograph collection, 1643-1896. Massachusetts Historical Society
referencedIn Charles Follen Adams papers, 1857-1917. Houghton Library
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1895. University of Pennsylvania Library
referencedIn American authors collection, 1832-1956. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Mason family. Papers, 1807-1921. Massachusetts Historical Society
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1809-1895. Scrapbook of clippings of poetry, [ca. 1830-1880]. Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
referencedIn Samuel F. Smith collection 1884-1895 Smith, Samuel F. collection William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Colles family. Colles family papers, 1801-1957. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Oliver Wendell Holmes letters from various correspondents, 1891-1892. Houghton Library
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. America, 1893. University of Michigan
referencedIn Harvard University Archives Photograph Collection: Portraits, ca. 1852-ca. 2004 Harvard University Archives.
creatorOf Huss, Henry Holden, 1862-1953. Softly fades the twilight ray : sacred song for high voice / poem by S. F. Smith ; music by Henry Holden Huss. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. "America" manuscript, 1891 June 8. Cornell University Library
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. America : Los Angeles : ms., [undated]. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Newton Free Library. Newton Photographs Collection. Noetzel collection, 1800s-1900s. Minuteman Library Network
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. America : autograph fair copy of the poem signed, [1832 or later]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. "America" : Newton Center, Massachusetts : ms. S, 1877 May 9. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Hamilton, Edward Pierce, 1897-1972. Papers, 1780-1972, bulk: 1939-1972. Massachusetts Historical Society
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. Papers, 1832-1967. Andover Newton Theological School, Franklin Trask Library
referencedIn Oliver Wendell Holmes letters from various correspondents, 1820-1894 Houghton Library
referencedIn Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912. Typed letter signed : New York, N. Y., to David Pell Secor, 1896 Nov. 23. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. My country 'tis of thee : manuscript, [1831] Houghton Library
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. The 200th anniversary of the incorporation of Newton : Thursday, Dec. 27, 1888 / by S. F. Smith. Minuteman Library Network
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. Papers, 1831-1936. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. Letter : to L. D. Perkins, 1894 June 4. Houghton Library
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. America, 1893 October 24. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
referencedIn Charles E.L. Wingate papers, 1821-1919 (bulk 1892-1898) Houghton Library
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. One stanza of America. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
creatorOf Moore, Donald I. America [microform] : an original musical setting for mixed voices (S.A.T.B.) and orchestra / words by Samuel Francis Smith ; music by Donald I. Moore. Library of Congress
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. AMsS, 1892 November 8. : "My Country, 'tis of Thee." Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. Poem to his wife, 1895 September 16. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Polk, Asa D. (Asa Davis), 1850-1940. Asa D. Polk and family papers, 1853-1930. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Douglas, Mrs., fl. 1827,. Miscellaneous items from the collection of Christian Hutter [manuscript] 1700-1851. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. America : holograph copy of lyrics written by Smith for J. J. Nagel, 1893 May 1. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. America : manuscript, 1884 and undated. Houghton Library
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. Samuel F. Smith letter : Newton Centre, Mass., to Franklin W. Smith, 1895 Aug. 15. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
referencedIn Letters to Charles Eliot Norton and other papers, 1702-1952 Houghton Library
creatorOf Papers : concerning the hymn "America," [19--] Houghton Library
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. Papers of Samuel Francis Smith, 1822-1894 (bulk 1829-1840). Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Shetterly, Charles Kiely. Autograph collection of famous men and women, 1845-1901. University of Michigan
referencedIn Samuel Francis Smith Collection, 1884-1895 University of Virginia. Library. Special Collections Dept.
referencedIn Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874. Correspondence, 1829-1874 Houghton Library
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. Samuel Francis Smith papers, 1835-1957. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Howe, Julia Ward, 1819-1910. Music sources for Kurt Weill's Mine eyes have seen the glory in the collection of the Weill-Lenya Research Center, 1942-[ongoing]. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. For the dinner of the first city government of Newton, MA at Parker's, Boston, Friday, Jan. 1, 1886 / [Samuel Francis Smith]. Minuteman Library Network
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. Memoir : manuscript, [18--] Houghton Library
referencedIn Reed, Julius Alexander, 1809-1890. Reed, Julius Alexander papers, 1825-1909. State Historical Society of Iowa, Library
referencedIn Autograph File, S, 1556-1996. Houghton Library
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. The 200th anniversary of the incorporation of Newton : Thursday, Dec. 27, 1888 / by S. F. Smith. Minuteman Library Network
creatorOf Beach, H. H. A., Mrs., 1867-1944. A hymn of freedom : op. 52 / words by Samuel Francis Smith ; music by Mrs. H.H.A. Beach. Library of Congress
creatorOf Samuel Francis Smith Collection, 1835-1957 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. Papers of Samuel F. Smith [manuscript], 1884-1895. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Towson, W. E. W. E. Towson letters and related materials concerning Samuel Francis Smith, 1889-1896. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. "America" : ms. S, 1889 Mar. 27. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. America : [n.p.] : autograph fair copy of the poem signed, "Written in 1832" but copied out at a later date. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Towson, W. E. W. E. Towson letters and related materials concerning Samuel Francis Smith, 1889-1896. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Smith, Samuel Francis, 1808-1895. Ms poem : Missionary Hynn for the Boston Young Men's Social Union, [18]95 March 19. Boston Public Library, Central Library in Copley Square
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
correspondedWith Adams, Charles Follen, 1842-1918 person
correspondedWith Andover Theological Seminary corporateBody
associatedWith Beach, H. H. A., Mrs., 1867-1944. person
associatedWith Blunt, Jonas G. person
associatedWith Boston Sabbath School Union. corporateBody
associatedWith Boston Young Men's Social Union. corporateBody
associatedWith Colles family family
associatedWith Colles family. family
associatedWith Crawford, I. Wylie. person
associatedWith Diedrich, D. N. (Duane Norman) person
associatedWith East Hampton Free Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Fields, Annie, 1834-1915, person
associatedWith First Baptist Church in Newton (Newton Center, Newton, Mass.) corporateBody
associatedWith First Baptist Church (Waterville, Me.) corporateBody
associatedWith Foot, Isaac, 1880-1960. person
associatedWith Groupe SECOR, Mr. corporateBody
associatedWith Hamilton, Edward Pierce, 1897-1972. person
associatedWith Hartsuff, George L. person
associatedWith Historical Society of Pennsylvania. corporateBody
associatedWith Holmes, Oliver Wendell, 1809-1894 person
associatedWith Howard, O. O. (Oliver Otis), 1830-1909. person
associatedWith Huss, Henry Holden, 1862-1953. person
associatedWith Hyde, James F. C. (James Francis Clark), 1825-1898. person
associatedWith Mansfield, Gideon M. person
associatedWith Mason family. family
associatedWith McDowell, Edgar A. person
associatedWith Molstad, Melvin C. person
associatedWith Moore, Donald I. person
associatedWith Nagel, J. J. person
associatedWith Newsom, Margaret Nagel. person
associatedWith Newton Free Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Norton, Charles Eliot, 1827-1908 person
associatedWith Noyes, Nicholas H. person
associatedWith Peck, John J. person
associatedWith Perkins, L. D., person
associatedWith Pleasanton, Alfred. person
associatedWith Polk, Asa D. (Asa Davis), 1850-1940. person
associatedWith Reed, Julius Alexander, 1809-1890. person
associatedWith Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912. person
associatedWith Richett, James B. person
associatedWith Roe, Alfred S. (Alfred Seelye), 1844-1917. person
associatedWith Rousseau, R. H. person
associatedWith Samuel Francis Smith Homestead, Inc. (Newton, Mass.) corporateBody
associatedWith Schenk, Robert C. person
associatedWith Shepard, Isaac F. (Isaac Fitzgerald), 1816-1889. person
associatedWith Shetterly, Charles Kiely. person
associatedWith Slocum, H. W. person
associatedWith Smith family. family
associatedWith Smith, Franklin W. person
associatedWith Smith, Mary Reed, fl. 1895 person
correspondedWith Smith, Mary White person
associatedWith Smith, Sarah Bryant, person
associatedWith Starkey, Jenny O., 1863- person
associatedWith Stoneman, George, 1822-1894. person
correspondedWith Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874 person
associatedWith Talmage, T. De Witt (Thomas De Witt), 1832-1902. person
associatedWith Towson, W. E. person
correspondedWith Waterville College corporateBody
associatedWith Wingate, Charles E. L. (Charles Edgar Lewis), b. 1861 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Europe
United States
Newton (Mass.)
Newton (Mass.)
United States
Boston (Mass.)
Massachusetts--Newton
United States
India
United States
United States
United States
Newton (Mass.)
Newton (Mass.)
New England
Massachusetts--Newton
New England
United States
Massachusetts--Boston
United States
Subject
Authors, American
Poets, American
Baptists
Baptists
Baptists
Christmas
Church and clergy
Fourth of July celebrations
Fourth of July orations
Literature
Love-letters
Municipal incorporation
Music
Popular music
National songs
Patriotic music
Poetry
Poetry
Songs
Travelers' writings, American
Women
Occupation
Authors
Activity

Person

Birth 1808-10-21

Death 1895-11-16

Information

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SNAC ID: 22532567