| 14th National Spelling Bee | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Date | May 31, 1938 |
| Location | National Museum in Washington, D.C. |
| Winner | Marian Richardson |
| Age | 12 |
| Residence | Floyd County, Indiana |
| Sponsor | The Louisville Times |
| Sponsor location | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Winning word | sanitarium |
| No. of contestants | 22 |
| Pronouncer | Harold F. Harding and George F. Hussey[1] |
| Preceded by | 13th Scripps National Spelling Bee |
| Followed by | 15th Scripps National Spelling Bee |
The 14th National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C., on May 31, 1938.[2] Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.
The winner was 12-year-old Marian Richardson, who attended a one-room schoolhouse in Floyd County, Indiana, correctly spelling the word sanitarium. Jean Pierce of Kenmore, New York placed second after failing to correctly spell pronunciation.[3][4]
Winner Marian Richardson, later Byrnes, became an environmental activist in Chicago, and died on May 20, 2010.[5]
- ^ (31 May 1938). Article (paywall), Courier-Journal ("the pronouncers, Dr. Harold E. Harding of George Washington University and George F. Hussey.")
- ^ (31 May 1938). Spelling Bee Finals: 22 Boys and Girls Compete for $1750 Cash Prizes, The New York Sun
- ^ List of National Spelling Bee Champions
- ^ (1 June 1938). Farm Girl Wins Spelling Bee, Lawrence Journal-World
- ^ Eldeib, Duaa. (30 May 2010). Southeast Side activist fought for environment, Chicago Tribune