Back

Our #QueerHistory …

International Institute of Sexual and Gender Diversity presents:
A Gay a Day

Katharine Lee Bates
12 August 1859 –28 March 1929
Ms Bates was a songwriter. Her most famous composition was the American anthem "America the Beautiful." She was the daughter of a Congregational pastor and graduated from Wellesley College in 1880. She then stayed on as a professor of English literature. She wrote 22 books and edited over 20 others. Among her works were poetry, travel books, and children's books. In her poem “Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh Ride” (1889) she made Ms Santa Claus a popular figure. She wrote for many periodicals under the pseudonym James Lincoln. Her partner of 25 years was Katharine Coman. Ms Coman was a history and political economy teacher and founder of the Wellesley College school of Economics.